Speyside Way Ultras Athlete Guide

2026 Race Schedule

Travel & Transport

The Speyside Way Ultras starts and finishes in different locations depending on your race distance. Please read the relevant information below carefully and plan your travel in advance.

Regardless of which race you are doing, there is free parking available in Buckie for runners using the official race buses. The race finish is located at the Speyside Way Landmark, close to Cluny Square Car Park and other nearby public parking areas.

Please park considerately and respect local residents.

100K (Aviemore → Buckie)

The recommended option for 100K runners is to park at the finish in Buckie and take the official race bus to the start in Aviemore.

On race morning, please arrive behind Buckie High School in good time for departure.

Bus departure: 03:00
Departure point: Behind Buckie High School
Journey time: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes

Registration and bag drop will take place at Macdonald Morlich Hotel before the race start.

Race start: 05:00

There is no return bus after the race, so parking at the finish in Buckie is strongly advised.

50K (Tamdhu Distillery → Buckie)

50K runners should also park in Buckie and use the official race bus to travel to the start at Tamdhu Distillery.

On race morning, please arrive behind Buckie High School in good time for departure.

Bus departure: 09:15
Departure point: Behind Buckie High School
Journey time: Approx. 45 minutes

Registration and bag drop will take place at Tamdhu Distillery before the race start.

Race start: 11:00

The race finishes in Buckie. There is no official transport back to Tamdhu Distillery after the race.

Support Crews & Spectators

Support crews and spectators are welcome at the official checkpoints along the route.

For the 100K, support crews can access runners at:

• Grantown-on-Spey
• Tamdhu Distillery
• Craigellachie
• Fochabers

For the 50K, support crews can access runners at:

• Craigellachie
• Fochabers

Please do not stop or park in unsafe locations or on narrow roads, and always follow marshal instructions and local signage.

Book the Race Bus

If you choose to use the official race bus, please ensure you book in advance when entering the event. Bus bookings close shortly before race week and may sell out if demand is high.

If you choose to go on the bus, please ensure that you book in advance. Bus bookings close on 10 August 2026 

Start Locations & Registration

Please allow plenty of time on race morning to arrive, register and prepare for your race.

Start Area Facilities (Both Races)

At each start location you will find:

• Registration and bib collection (start list published online during race week)
• Race tracker collection
• Bag drop
• Toilets and drinking water
• First Aid & Defibrillator
• Marshals and volunteers

A short race briefing will take place before each start, covering any important updates since the online briefing.

100K Ultra – Macdonald Morlich Hotel, Aviemore

100K runners will arrive at the start via the official race bus from Buckie or by making their own travel arrangements. Please follow signage and marshal instructions on arrival.

Registration & Bag Drop: 04:15
Race Start: 05:00

The 100K route follows the Speyside Way from Aviemore through the Cairngorms and Speyside, finishing at the Speyside Way Landmark in Buckie.

50K Ultra – Tamdhu Distillery, Knockando

50K runners will arrive at the start via the official race bus from Buckie or by making their own travel arrangements. Please follow signage and marshal instructions on arrival.

Registration & Bag Drop: 09:30
Race Start: 11:00

The 50K route starts at Tamdhu Distillery and follows the Speyside Way through the heart of whisky country before finishing at the Speyside Way Landmark in Buckie.

Important Notes

• Please arrive early, follow marshal instructions and respect local residents. 
• Ensure your race number is visible at all times and that your race tracker has been collected before the start.
• All runners must carry the mandatory kit listed in this handbook and be ready for random kit checks before the race begins.

Aid Stations & Drop Bags

Aid stations will be fully stocked with water, hydration, snacks and basic first aid. Drop bags are available at designated locations. Support crews are only permitted at official aid stations.

Drop Bags

• Your race number includes tear-off drop bag slips for each checkpoint. Please tear off the slips and attach one to each bag before handing it in.

Please note:

• Only official drop bags will be transported.

• Bags must be dropped off at the start area before your race begins.

• Uncollected bags will be returned to the finish area at the end of the day. We will not be able to post items back to you if you leave them at the checkpoints.

Support Crews

• Support crews are only permitted at official aid stations.
• No pacing is allowed at any point on the course.
• It is the runner's responsibility to ensure their support crew understands and follows these rules.

Important Notes

• Aid station locations and facilities may be subject to minor changes.
• Final details will be confirmed at the race briefing and on the website during race week.

Course Overview

The Speyside Way Ultras showcase the very best of Scotland's famous Speyside region, taking runners through ancient Caledonian forests, along riverside trails, across open moorland and through the heart of whisky country. Expect a fast, runnable course with stunning scenery, welcoming communities and a memorable finish on the Moray coast.

100K Ultra – Aviemore to Buckie 

Starting in the outdoor capital of Aviemore, the 100K Ultra follows the full Speyside Way route north through the Cairngorms National Park and the Spey Valley before finishing at the coast in Buckie.

The route passes through Boat of Garten, Nethy Bridge, Grantown-on-Spey, Cromdale, Ballindalloch, Tamdhu, Craigellachie and Fochabers, offering an incredible journey through forests, nature reserves, former railway lines and some of Scotland's most famous whisky-producing landscapes.

While the route is highly runnable, runners should respect the distance and save something for the latter stages, particularly after Craigellachie where the route climbs over the shoulder of Ben Aigen before descending towards the coast.

50K Ultra – Tamdhu Distillery to Buckie

The 50K Ultra begins at the iconic Tamdhu Distillery and follows the most scenic and runnable section of the Speyside Way all the way to the Moray coast.

After leaving Tamdhu, runners travel through the heart of whisky country on former railway lines and forest tracks before reaching Craigellachie. The route then climbs over Ben Aigen, offering panoramic views across Speyside, before descending towards Fochabers and the River Spey.

The final miles follow riverside trails to Spey Bay before joining the old railway path into Buckie, where runners finish beside the iconic Speyside Way Landmark.

This route is renowned for its fast terrain, gentle net downhill profile and spectacular finish by the sea.

Mandatory Kit

All runners must carry the following minimum kit at all times during the race.

Race Director Discretion

• The Race Director may require additional kit if adverse weather or conditions are forecast.
• Any updates will be communicated via the website, email and race briefing.

Runner Responsibility

Runners are responsible for their own safety and must be self-sufficient between checkpoints wherever possible.

Medical, Safety & Withdrawals

Standard ultra running rules apply. You must follow the marked Moray Coastal Trail and any temporary race signage, pass through all checkpoints, and obey instructions from marshals and medical staff. Cutting the course, accepting unauthorised vehicle support, or failing to check in at a timing point may lead to disqualification. The event operates under a strict no-litter policy: anything you bring onto the trail must leave with you or be placed in bins at checkpoints. Dropping gel wrappers or bottles on the route will result in penalties and possible removal from the race.

Please respect local residents, landowners and other trail users. Give way courteously where paths narrow, keep noise to a minimum in villages and leave gates as you find them. Headphones are allowed only if they do not block your awareness of traffic, marshals, or other runners; bone-conduction or one-ear use are strongly recommended, and headphones must be removed at road crossings, checkpoints and when requested by volunteers.

Medical support is available at the start, finish, and key points along the course, with mobile response teams on call. If you or another runner needs help, stop if it is safe to do so, provide basic assistance, and contact race control using the emergency number printed on your race number. In a serious emergency, call the 999, then inform race control as soon as possible. Your safety and that of fellow runners always comes before finishing time.

Kit checks may take place at registration, at the start line, and at random points on course. Please arrive with your pack fully prepared and allow extra time for checks. Failure to present mandatory kit, or refusal to carry it, may result in time penalties or disqualification. These rules are in place for your safety on a remote and sometimes exposed coastal route.

Support Crews & Spectators

Support crews and spectators are very welcome along the the route and play a big part in the atmosphere of the event.

Support crews are only permitted at designated checkpoints and must follow marshal instructions at all times. Pacing is not allowed on any part of the course.

Spectators should park considerately, avoid narrow roads, and respect local residents and communities. Please do not stop or park in unsafe locations.

We ask everyone supporting runners to help us keep the event safe, friendly and respectful for all.

Finish Line Experience

Congratulations — you've reached the finish of one of the most beautiful ultras in Scotland (not that we're biased!).

At the finish line in Buckie, you'll receive your Moray Way Ultras medal, a Spey Valley Brewery and a souvenir momento! Post-race refreshments will be available for all runners, along with a massage tent from our massage therapist Asia (a small fee and can pay by card or cash)

There are also plenty of food and drink options nearby with Coffee at the Kings, including fish and chips, ice cream and a coffee truck, all just a short walk from the finish.

Prizes & Awards

Prizes are awarded for the top overall runners in both the 50k and 100k races. Age-group awards typically recognise leading runners in standard categories (for example V40, V50, V60 and above), subject to entry numbers.

All finishers receive a medal and some race goodies! Podium presentations will take place once results are confirmed; please listen for announcements or check the information board at the finish. If you need to leave early, prizes can be collected by a friend or posted by arrangement with the organisers.

Media, Photography & Race Coverage

Official photographers and media will be present on the course, at checkpoints, and at the finish. By entering the event, you acknowledge that images and video of the race may include you and may be used for event reporting, marketing, and future promotion, both online and in print. We aim to capture the spirit of the day while respecting personal dignity and safety at all times.

Links to race galleries and any video coverage will be shared on the event website and social media channels after the race. If you have a specific concern about an image, please let us know and we will do our best to help.

Race Merch 

Coaching, Training & Preparation

TRS Training, led by Race Organiser and GB Ultra runner, Kyle Greig can help you out with a training programme in the run up to the event.

Volunteering Opportunities

The event relies on a fantastic volunteer team to keep runners safe, supported, and smiling. Typical roles include registration and number collection, checkpoint and aid-station support, course marshalling, finish-line welcome, and post-race tidy-up. No previous experience is required; we provide briefings, simple instructions, and all necessary equipment.

If you, your friends, or family would like to volunteer, please sign up below. Volunteering is a great way to be part of the race atmosphere, give back to the running community, and enjoy a day on the Moray coast without having to run the full distance.

Final Notes

We want you to arrive at the start line feeling informed, confident and excited. The Speyside Way Ultras offer a unique journey through the heart of Scotland's whisky country, combining ancient forests, riverside trails, rolling countryside and a memorable finish on the Moray coast. Take time to look around, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the experience as much as the finish line.

While the route is highly runnable, it remains a challenging ultra marathon and conditions can change quickly throughout the day. Please come prepared, manage your pacing and nutrition wisely, listen to your body, and never hesitate to ask a marshal or medic for assistance if needed.

The most up-to-date information, including final race instructions, route updates and any last-minute changes, will always be published on the official event website and shared via email and social media. Please check these channels during race week and again the day before the event.

Most importantly, enjoy your day, respect your fellow runners, volunteers and local communities, and make the most of running one of Scotland's oldest and most iconic ultra marathons.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Speyside Way Ultras!