Great Glen Ultra Marathon

The Great Glen Ultra is one of Scotland’s toughest running challenges. Set amongst some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery, you have to run the 72 miles from Fort William to Inverness along the historic Great Glen within a time limit of 22 hours. The terrain is a mixture of canal towpaths, forestry paths and tracks, and a little time spent on roads.

For information on the short course option see its page.

The event is for solo runners and designed to be run unsupported. There are marshaled checkpoints approximately every 10 miles along the fully marked route.

The route starts at Corpach and heads towards Loch Lochay before climbing up to give stunning views over Loch Ness. For the most part, the race route follows the waymarked Great Glen which has distinctive blue posts. You are following those all the way to Inverness. The race takes the High Routealong the Great Glen which offers even more incredible views. The High Route is clearly signposted as an official Great Glen Way option.

The first 30 miles or so are undulating then the major climbs appear after Fort Augustus.

The checkpoints are listed below and there is an additional water stop between Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit at Grotaig, 49 miles.

CHECKPOINTS

When coming into a checkpoint, please shout your number to a marshal.

The following cut-off times are there for your own safety. These times have been based on runners’ times from previous years. Please remember that this is a running race, not a walking one.

When enforcing these cut-off times, the marshals will use their own judgement and take the other race-day factors (for example, extremes of weather…. where a runner has stopped to aid a fellow competitor etc) into account when making a decision. The times below are when runners must arrive into each checkpoint:

1. Clunes – 10.5 miles – Cut off 2 hours, 45 minutes
2. Laggan Locks – 20 miles – Cut off 4 hours, 30 minutes
3. Fort Augustus – 31 miles – Cut off 7 hours, 30 minutes
4. Invermoriston – 40 miles – Cut off 10 hours
5. Drumnadrochit – 54.5 miles – Cut off 14 hours, 30 minutes
6. Loch Laide – 62 miles – Cut off 18 hours
7. Finish! Inverness Athletics Stadium – 72 miles – Cut off 22 hours

Checkpoint distances are approximate as both the course and the checkpoint locations may vary slightly year to year depending on what work is occurring on and around the race route.

ROAD CROSSINGS

You must remove earphones at road crossings and listen to instructions from marshals.

The same applies to any section where you are running on a road. There are some sections of the route which run on very quiet B roads, but please take care when running on them. Remove your earphones so you are aware of any cars approaching from any direction.

Runners will be required to carry mandatory kit which will be confirmed in the race briefing sent out 3 weeks before the race. Check the race rules below for an idea. This will include a small first aid kit for running repairs. Runners are reminded to read and understand the full race briefing and should ask any questions if they are in any doubt about any information. “I didn’t know” is not an excuse and will lead to disqualification.

The race fee includes a race memento, goody bag and a technical race t-shirt or vest, for collection on race day.

GETTING THERE

Location:

Kilmallie Community Centre, Station Road, Corpach, PH33 7JH

Bus Departure to Corpach Inverness Leisure Stadium Car Park, Inverness, IV3 5SS, Friday 30th June, 21:30.

Bus ticket costs £20 and can be booked via Entry Central.

Travelling to start from Inverness by bus.

Runners are asked to arrive in plenty of time to allow for checking you onto the bus which leaves 21.30pm  sharp. Please arrive in your running gear and bring the following:

• 6 numbered drop bags with your number clearly marked on them.
• Sensible sized kit bag which will be transported back to the finish. This bag might carry any last-minute things you might want to change.
• Completed covid 19 form.
• ID
• Completed med form.

The following should also be noted:

Due to limited space and social distancing at Kilmallie Community Hall and if it is raining on the night of the race, we may start the race earlier than 1am. We don’t want runners standing around getting cold and wet before the set off.

Covid 19:

Rocket Events/Great Glen Ultra will be run under a Scottish Athletics Race Licence which means we will be following all rules-protocol-processes and guidance for covid 19. You are asked not to enter the event if you are unwilling to follow the rules-protocol-processes that are in place on race day.

These rules are in place to protect all (Runners and Marshals).

https://runyarocket.com/race/great-glen-ultra-marathon/