UKC

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm not generally one for new year resolutions. However, I am probably about the least fit I can remember being in my adult life just now, so I thought entering a race in 2022 could be a good way to try and claw back some of that fitness. 

So, can anyone recommend a running race for 2022? The following criteria are ideally rather than strict criteria:

In Scotland (I live in Aberdeenshire, although happy to travel if it looks really good)

Around half marathon in length

Would prefer trail rather than road race, I find it more interesting.

Preferably from May onwards, to give me enough time to train

Thanks in advance and here's to a great 2022!

Hi Mike,

I've not ran much in Scotland before so don't know any races up there but a couple of good ones I did this summer in the Lakes are. 

- Lowther half - a hilly trail run in beautiful settings with a river crossing about half way to keep it interesting. http://lowtherrun.co.uk It was August last year. 

- Kentmere Horeshoe - A fell race but once you do the initial big climbs (which are fast walks anyway it's very runnable with the last descent runnable as well I think it's 17 July this year. 

Dan

https://www.racethetrain.com/

It's not very local though, North Wales. But it's a bit unique and mostly off road. 

Would this list give you some ideas of races to look up?

https://www.scottishhillrunners.uk/RaceResults.aspx

Glen Lyon trail race 5th June - 15.5 miles circuit of the remote and beautiful Loch Lyon in Perthshire.

All off-road on landrover tracks, with a a few short river crossings to wade ( never above shin height, sometimes just ankle depending on weather )

https://www.entrycentral.com/event/118031

Thanks all, some good sounding suggestions there. I think the Glen Lyon one sounds the most enticing so far, although I might already be booked up for that weekend. I will look through that list too, thanks SouthernSteve.

Any other suggestions?

Check out entrycentral.com and sientries.co.uk

You can filter by location etc

Thanks, I'll certainly look through them, although I was hoping for some personal recommendations.

Aviemore trail half marathon? I’ve not ran the actual race but have been on all of the course. Good runnable terrain not too much elevation and good scenery. Also later in the year. 

https://badaguishoutdoorcentre.org/badaguish-events-aviemore-cairngorms/avi...

Hey Mike, depends on if it runs again but the illuminator (aboyne and Tanner) was a great half plus trail run for something local.

Longer than you're asking for but bennachie ultra in October I think, or the bennachie hill race for shorter version might suit you too.

Have you looked at joining a local club (cosmics or similar) - loads of club run races all over Scotland that might appeal.

Cheers!

Stu

Thanks, looks good. I was up that way last month doing some winter walking and thought they looked like nice trails.

Oooh I was wanting to do the illuminator years ago but couldn't due to injury, thanks for reminding me of that.

The Bennachie race looks brutal!!

Local clubs is a good call, although as I work shifts it's difficult to attend these sort of things.

http://www.coniston14.co.uk/ 14 miles around the lake - might be too early for you, 26th March

If you like your malt whiskies, then there's the dramathon in October

https://www.thedramathon.com/

Since you're in Aberdeen, you should look at the Balmoral weekend, in April. There's a 10k on the Saturday and a 15 mile trail race on the Sunday. The 10k is okay, but the 15 miler is much more fun.

https://runbalmoral.com/content/

Carnethy 5 is a classic, the start is like a battlefield charge.

Oh my goodness, what a selection of runs at Balmoral now.

I did the 10k there in 2002 I think, when it was the only race.  Good route though, quite hilly, fair bit of forestry tracks and nice scenery.

I don't usually like big corporate running events, but I'm happy to make an exception for this one. Every bit of it is very well organised, and the routes are really nice. The races also atract a good calibre of runners - Robbie Simpson has been a winner there.

Thanks all, some great looking recommendations there. I'm particularly tempted by the Balmoral half, although would need to pull my finger out on the training to be fit enough by then.

The two breweries hill race could be one for you, usually held later in the year. A similar one but with perhaps more undulations is the Pentland Skyline.

Curve ball suggestions would be the Caerketton Downhill Only race held by Carnethy. In a similar theme, they do a short running race in Gloucester somewhere chasing cheese down a hill, but I think that one falls a long way short of your distance criteria.. 

I am not sure, butI thought the Cotswold 'lets go to casualty after chasing a cheese' race wasn't running anymore. Have you something against MikeR?

https://www.visitgloucester.co.uk/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/cheese-...

It is planned for this year - there was certainly a lot of hoo hah about H&S at one point

https://www.soglos.com/sport-outdoor/27837/Gloucestershire-Cheese-Rolling

There's a bit to do to get to the run, but pretty unique race to get fit for...

https://starmannighttri.com/

I haven't done it yet, but went to lend moral support to my brother on it a couple of years back, looked amazing.

Thanks for the suggestions. They look good too.

I grew up north Somerset so was brought up thinking the Gloucester cheese race was a normal thing! Not quite what I was after, but thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks, that looks great too. I used to be quite into triathlons. Might struggle to find the time to train for the swimming for that, but one to consider though.

I moved away from the west country a few years ago, so it’s sad to hear of its demise!  

I think it has returned. I used to be a regular local visitor when my parents lived in the area and it was meant to be stopping, but after posting (perhaps should have done this first!) I did some googling and it is planned for 2022 so if you fancy a visit to Cheltenham or Gloucester A&E!

Hi Mike,

Aberdeenshire runner here - I echo the call for the Balmoral weekend - the 15m trail race is tough though and there are more than one killer hills. From memory, the race tee-shirt from a couple of years back was something about "Isurvived the hill", it would have been more accurate mine read "I barely survived the hill".

In the shire we have a lot of local races organised by local running groups covering all sorts of distances. Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Stonehaven all have their own halfs and each year they seem to try to out do one another with the spread of soups, sandwiches and funcy pieces provided for the runners. Foe me, Stonehaven has the best post run spread, but it also the hilliest course.

For a different type of challenge there are a few local hill races: Mormond hill in Strichen and Morven are both worth looking into.

Also, the advantage of the smaller local races are they are much cheaper than the glossier events and often a lot friendlier. You'll meet and get chatting to local runners as you puff and pant your way round the course!

Enjoy!