Tarland - Tartan Enduro

Tarland Enduro – Round #2 - Tartan Enduro Series 2026

We’re heading to the terrific Tarland Trails centre for the second round of the Tartan Enduro Series 2026. Aberdeenshire's first ever fully purpose built trail centre has been hugely popular since opening in spring 2023. It’s helping lots of new riders access the amazing sport of mountain biking, as well as appealing to more experienced riders. With trails consisting of sweeping turns, big berms, jumps, technical riding, it will have you whooping as you race down them!

For those new to it, an enduro mountain bike race is where riders are timed in downhill stages, with neutral transfer stages (climbs!) in between. Enduro routes are aimed to be rideable by reasonably competent mountain bikers, with the lite being slightly easier, both technically and endurance wise. We will run this event in a “mash up” format, allowing riders to choose the order to ride the trails, as well as how many times to race each one. You just need to complete all of the set trails at least once and be back in the event village by the cut off time. For riders to complete all stages it will be roughly be 25km with 800m of climb but as you’ll be able to do the trails more than once the time is your limit. As for other events, the lite route will omit the technically trickiest stage. If you’re new to this location, or riding in enduros, plenty of local coaching and guiding companies will be able to help you get familiar with the area and provide some useful riding tips, before the race.

Our one day events have a fun and friendly atmosphere. We attract all levels of rider, from the seriously competitive, to those just looking for a brilliant day in the hills in good company. We have a wide range of categories for male and female riders of all ages, including full suss, hard tail as well as ebikes and we are proud to be the only Scottish events offering entry to 9-12 year old riders (who need to be accompanied by an adult chaperone). All categories have great prizes provided by our fantastic sponsors, which are UK businesses. Afterwards you’ll be able to catch up with friends old and new in the event village and pick up some tasty hot food and drinks from the event caterer. So make sure to bring a card or some change!

Race Categories

The 2026 Tartan Enduro Series has both conventional and ebike options for a range of male and female  age groups, as well as an open hardtail category. We also offer lite categories (which are less demanding technically and endurance-wise) for male, female and youths (9-12 year olds, accompanied by an adult chaperone). All categories have trophies and prizes for the top three finishers provided by our valued sponsors, all of whom are Scottish businesses, covering all your biking needs, including sales & services, clothing, coaching. 

Full Route

• Junior Female (13 – 17)
• Female (18-34)
• Senior Female (35+)
• Junior Male (13 – 17)
• Male (18 – 34)
• Senior Male (35 – 49)
• Veteran Male (50+)
• Hard Tail (Open 13+)
• eBike Female (14+)
• eBike Male (14 – 34)
• eBike Senior Male (34 – 49)
• eBike Veteran Male (50+)

‘Lite’ Route

• Female Youth (9-12)
• Male Youth (9-12)
• Male (13+ Analogue, 14+ eBike)
• Female (13+ Analogue, 14+ eBike)

Start Times

Registration will open two hours before the riders mass starts, starting at 10:15 for eBikes only, 10:20 for full routes (Mixed) and 10:30 for Lite/Youth routes. Once registered, riders may participate in their corresponding mass start, or set off anytime afterwards but they may not set off beforehand. On the day registration of pre-entered riders at Race HQ includes riders collecting their race number with zip ties to attach it and their electronic wrist mounted timing chip. ‘On the day’ entries will not be accepted.

Age and Race Capacity Limits

Entrants need to be a minimum of nine years old on the day of the event. Your entry category will be based on your age on the 1st January 2026, although eight year olds who have turned nine by the date of an event may enter it as a Youth (see below).  Youth riders (and their chaperone) will be set off together after the remainder of the field and may, although not required, ride together in a group for mutual support.

We have an overall rider limit of 400 participants for Tarland. We sold out last year and we expect to do so again. So sign up soon not to miss out!

Youths

• Each youth rider must have an adult chaperone
• The chaperone must accompany the youth to race registration
• The chaperone can only look after a maximum of two youth riders.
• The chaperone will ride behind the youth participant and be available to take care of any issues with the youth e.g. bike problems, injuries or withdrawals
• Youth riders plus chaperones will set off half an hour before the main group.

Trails and Charities Support

We will be making a donation per participant for every event towards developing, improving and sustaining trails in that location. For the Tarland Enduro we will be donating to Tarland Trails (part of the Tarland Development Group SC041598). We will also have optional donations for the Aboyne BIke Park (part of the Aboyne Community Trust) who help run and maintain a local treasure, check out their facebook page to see what they've been up to recently, and even better visit the bike park in person when you get a chance. 

Photography/Videography

By entering and participating in the event, you consent to be photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such photography, filming and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media.

Refunds/Cancellations

If you need to cancel your entry please email us. If you send us your cancellation before entries close you will be refunded your entry fee, less a £10 administration fee. After online entries close, refunds will not be given, other than in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of organisers.

Statement of Responsibility

Riders are aware that cycling is potentially dangerous. Riders must ride within their own capability and responsibly, staying on the signed route and taking care when meeting any others in the area being ridden, as well as not leaving any litter behind. DoonThaBrae Events organisers shall not be held liable in any way for any loss, damage or accidents that may occur during the event.

2026 Tartan Enduro Series

1. Glenlivet - Sunday 31st May 2026
2. Tarland - Sunday 16th August 2026
3. Drumtochty - Sunday 13th September 2026