The Lairig Ghru is a category C Long Hill Race run over 43km between the police stations of Braemar and Aviemore. This classic race takes place in a spectacular setting and follows an historic drove road rising to 2733ft between some of the highest peaks in Britain. A significant proportion of the race fees are donated to the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, therefore any additional donations are much appreciated.

RACE START

The race begins at the police station in Braemar. There is a public car park and also parking up by the duck pond (see map on Deeside Runner Website).  There are also public conveniences at the public car park, however there are no changing facilities. Please park considerately as the village is quite small and parking is at a premium, if you can, please share transport, better for the environment!

Registration will be outside the Village Hall, this will be signposted. The hall itself is in use so competitors cannot access the hall for changing / toilet facilities. This year we will return to a mass start event starting at 10am. Registration will open at 8am and close at 9.15am. Please be ready to run at 9.45am so we can count the runners before starting.

RACE SUPPORT AND SAFETY

Runners are expected to be self sufficient and there are no regular drink or feed stations on the route, there are several burns which can be used for refilling at your own discretion. The route is unmarked, so please make yourself familiar with the whole route, including the last couple of miles.

Runners should typically be capable of a sub 4hr road marathon and be confident of completing the race in 6hrs. There are 2 checkpoints at Derry Lodge and at the Pools of Dee, both these points must be visited on your route.

There is a 1hr30m cut off point at Derry Lodge - if you are not through within this time you will be asked to return to Braemar. There will be a sweeper runner and the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team will support the race from a base at the Pools of Dee. Runners withdrawing from the race must advise the organisers, sweeper, Rescue Team or the police as soon as possible. The Lairig Ghru is a Category C long hill race insured through Scottish Hill Runners. All runners are required to carry the following:

• full waterproof body cover (taped seams)
• hat (buff acceptable) and gloves
• whistle
• map and compass (a paper map is required, phone or GPX is not an acceptable alternative)
• food and liquid

All competitors must have their number clearly visible on the front of their body (preferably the torso), this is to ensure that we can account for everyone at each checkpoint. Numbers must not be folded or defaced in any way.

NB: There will be a kit check at the race start, no kit no race!

COURSE

The race route is a mix of road, forest trails and rocky single track. The Luibeg burn can be challenging when in spate but there is a bridge crossing further upstream. Runners negotiate a boulder field at the Pools of Dee and good navigational skills may be required in adverse weather.

For more course details - www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceDetails.aspx?RaceID=RA-0067

See OS maps 1:50,000 - 36 and 43, there is  also a map of the route on the Deeside Runners website.

RACE FINISH

REMEMBER THERE IS A NEW FINISH TO THE RACE. The race finishes in Aviemore on Dalfaber Road by the water works and next to the tunnel under the railway by the bank, a map of the new finish line can be seen on the Deeside Runners website www.deesiderunners.com/?page_id=27   Recording of times will cease at 4.30pm. Competitors are asked to move away from the finish line once they have recovered enough to do so to avoid overcrowding.

TRANSPORT

There will be bus transport arranged to take competitors back to Braemar after the race if needed, if you book transport please note this is non refundable. Transport must be booked in advance as part of your online entry.

Small bags can be transported to the finish from Braemar for a change of clothes etc, these are left at the owners risk.

PRIZE CATEGORIES

This year we will be using chip timing. Results will be given as soon as able on the Protay website protay.co.uk  and on social media sites after the event.  

Prizes will be awarded at 4pm. Venue for this to be confirmed.

Overall Men 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd

Overall Women1^st,2^nd,3^rd                                                                                                                                                                                

First Veterans M40, M50, M60, M70, F40, F50, F60, F70

1^st Team – three to count

RECORDS

Male - 2:58:10 – Murray Strain (2017)

Female - 3:32:38 – Lucy Colquhoun (2006)

ENTRY

Online entry £20.00  

Entry fees are non refundable, all proceeds of the race, once costs are accounted for, go to charitable organisations, primarily the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team. If you are unable to attend your entry fee will be given as a donation.

There is no transferring of entries permitted. The transferring of numbers to a person not legitimately entered into the race will result in both parties being banned from future races and will be reported to the Scottish Hill runners committee.

As per current guidance no one should attend if they:

- Are within 10 days of a initial positive PCR or LFD COVID test
- Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 10 days
- Have been overseas to a country on the quarantine list 
- Have COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling unwell
- Have been told to self-isolate as part of the contact tracing measures 

If there is a change to this guidance we will update you by email nearer the date.

Failure to comply the above may result in your disqualification, and prevent you from entering future events.

Collect numbers at the race start (Braemar Village Hall).

There will not be a waiting list and there will be no on the day entries.

 

View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.

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