For those wishing to take on the ‘Race Across Scotland®’, you must have a solid background of endurance/ultrarunning before taking on the event. In addition, you must be able to self-navigate using a map and compass.

You can APPLY to take part using the online application form giving full details of your experience to date.

Participants must be at least 20 years old on race-day (Rule T3 (141) S5 UKA Trail Running), in good health and must have had their application successfully approved to confirm their capability is sufficient to take on the Race Across Scotland®! 

GB Ultras will also capture details regarding any medical conditions, allergies and dietary requirements prior to race day. In addition, we will also request details of any support crew you may be bringing to the event.

Start Venue & Race HQ

Portpatrick Community Hub, Portpatrick Harbour, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, DG9 8AN.

Friday 8th August 2025.

5.30pm – 9.00pm – Race Registration, Race Number Collection & Dropbags handed in.

Saturday 9th August 2025 – Race Day

4.15am – 5.30am – Race Registration, Race Number Collection, Dropbags handed in & Race Tracker Collection

6.00am – Race Start.

Finish Line

Southern Upland Way, Cockburnspath Village Hall, Callander Place, Cockburnspath, TD13 5XY.

The 215 Mile ‘Race Across Scotland’ Ultra-marathon has 12 Checkpoints en route with the principal aim of maintaining the highest level of support possible across the Southern Upland Way.  Please note distances to checkpoints are approximate and diversions may apply affecting the distance.  Participants will be updated [pre-race or during the race] with any course changes, checkpoint changes, low level routes being actioned due to severe conditions or any cut off times changing granting additional time.

Each Checkpoint provides water, further refreshments will provide refreshments including cola, tailwind, water and juice as well as a variety of sandwiches, salted potatoes, fruit, snacks, crisps and biscuits and, at Village Halls, hot food too. We reserve the right to change the locations of Checkpoints. Please note that there are no facilities or refreshments at the bothy locations.

Runners are self-sufficient between checkpoints, but are allowed a Support Crew from Glentrool (Checkpoint 3) onwards. Runners must also carry all items detailed in the Mandatory Kit section and must carry their days food with them along with emergency rations due to the inaccessibility of the route should a runner become lost or injured.

Cut-off times per checkpoint are implemented by GB Ultras, and will be strictly enforced, to ensure the safe and proper running of the event and include the length of time taken to complete sections of the route.  There is a 100 hour cut off time for the event.

The locations of the Checkpoints are:

Checkpoint 1 – 13.2 Miles
Castle Kennedy Fuel Station, DG9 8RY. NX10830 59755.
Cut-off 11:51am Saturday
SUPPORT CREWS PERMITTED BUT NOTE THE CHECKPOINT IS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA WITH VERY LIMITED PARKING. PLEASE ONLY ATTEND IF NECESSARY.

Checkpoint 2 – 22.4 Miles
New Luce, DG8 0NB. NX19075 64985.
Cut off 15:54pm Saturday.
NO SUPPORT CREWS PERMITTED

Emergency Shelter – 27 Miles
Beehive Bothy, Kilgallioch Windfarm
NO SUPPORT CREWS PERMITTED

Checkpoint 3 – 45.8 Miles
Glentrool Hive, Glentrool Village, Newton Stewart, DG8 6SY
Cut off 02:48am Sunday.
SUPPORT CREWS PERMITTED BUT NO INDOOR ACCESS FOR SUPPORT CREWS

Emergency Shelter – 54 Miles
White Laggan Mountain Bothy – Loch Dee 

Checkpoint 4 – 68.2 Miles
St Johns Town of Dalry Village Hall, Ayr Road, DG7 3SW
NX61895 81190
Cut off 12:59pm Sunday. 

Emergency Shelter – 85 Miles
Chalk Memorial Bothy – Poleskeoch
NO SUPPORT CREWS PERMITTED

Checkpoint 5 – 94.4 Miles
Sanquhar Town Hall, Church Road, Sanquhar, DG4 6DF
Cut Off 00:54am Monday 

Checkpoint 6 – 102.3 Miles
Wanlockhead Community Centre, Church Street, ML12 6UT
NS87400 12950
Cut-off 04:29am Monday

Checkpoint 7 – 122.3 Miles
Beattock Village Hall, Craigielands Village, DG10 9QZ
NT07935 02295
Cut off 13:35pm Monday
NO SUPPORT CREWS PERMITTED

Emergency Shelter – 132 Miles
Over Phawhope Bothy 

Checkpoint 8 – 139.4 Miles
Boston Memorial Hall, Scabcleuch, Ettrick, Selkirk, TD7 5JB
Cut off 21:21pm Monday 

Checkpoint 9 – 157.5 Miles
Traquair Village Hall, 1 The Bield, Traquair, Innerleithen, EH44 6PJ
Cut off 05:35am Tuesday 

Checkpoint 10 – 170.5 Miles
Focus Community Centre, Livingstone Place, Galashiels, TD1 1DQ
Cut off 11:29am Tuesday

Checkpoint 11 – 185.6 Miles
Lauder Scout Hall, W High St, Lauder TD2 6TE
Cut Off 18:21pm Tuesday 

Checkpoint 12 – 198.2 Miles
The Watch Fishery Lodge, Longformacus, Near Duns, TD11 3PG
Cut-off 00:04am Wednesday 

Finish – 220 Miles (approximate overall distance due to diversions at Daer Reservoir and checkpoints slightly off the SUW route)
Cockburnspath Village Hall, Callander Place, TD13 5XY.
NT77363 71195
Cut off 10am Wednesday (Total time 100 Hours) 

Runners are permitted to have their own Support Crew during the race, please see the separate section for information on what Support Crews can and cannot do.

Runners must make their own prior arrangements for accommodation and transport before and after the event.

The Mandatory Kit stipulated in this section must be carried at all times during Ultra Great Britain as it is the duty of the participant to be self-sufficient throughout the event. The Checkpoints merely support your progress.

Mandatory Kit

Hardcopy Southern Upland Way Map – available at Harvey Maps  – 20% discount code for the Harvey Map upon sign up to the Race is available, please use discount code GBULTRARAC .
Waterproof coat with sealed seams (Gore-Tex or similar) – minimum 10,000mm
Waterproof trousers
Base plate Compass
Long Sleeved Base layer (kept in a drybag separate from Starting kit)
Whistle
Water bottle or bladder -min 1 litre capacity,
Fully charged mobile phone,
Survival/thermal Bag or Bivvy bag,
Headtorch (minimum 75 lumens),
Water purification tablets or Filter,
Backup lightsource (minimum 25 lumens) NOT your mobile phone!
‘Emergency’ Food Rations (500 Calories)
GPS Tracker (Provided by GB Race Tracker Prior to the Race).

Recommended Kit

GPS Handheld device
Gloves/warm hat
Sun protection/head cover
Insect repellant 
Tick remover
Electrolytes/S-caps 
First aid kit

Please be aware GB Ultras Races are now Cupless! You can buy a GB Ultras reusable cup CLICK HERE to visit the shop.

Runners can utilise Dropbag facilities at CP4, CP7 & CP11.

Dropbag 1 & 3 will be the same bag – once Checkpoint 4 has closed, the bag will be transported to Checkpoint 11. Once Checkpoint 11 has closed, the bag will then be transported to the finish venue.

Dropbag 2 and 4 will be the same bag.  Once Checkpoint 7 has closed, the bag will be transported to the finish venue.

DROPBAG 1 – Checkpoint 4 (St Johns Town of Dalry) & Checkpoint 11 (Lauder Scout Hall)
Max 35cm x 25cm x 20cm (L x W x H) – Medium Pack approx 35 Litre

DROPBAG 2 – Checkpoint 7 (Beattock Village Hall) & Finish Line
Max 35cm x 25cm x 20cm (L x W x H) – Medium Pack approx 35 Litre

OVERSEAS RUNNERS – may bring a separate small suitcase which will be transported directly to the finish venue.

No Pacers or Support Runners are permitted.  Participants found to be running with another person who is not entered in the race will be disqualified.

We’ll be posting the links to the official media team photographs here after the race has finished.  Please keep checking back to find yours.

Processing and editing the photographs does take some time so please allow 48-72 after conclusion of the race for the links to be added.

We’ll also be adding photographs taken by the event team on our Race Across Scotland Facebook page and in the GB Ultras Community Facebook Group as well!

2024 Event Photographs

Dan Bentley Photography. Finish Line photos and black & white headshots. Printed versions of the digital images can be purchased here: Photo Order Form

David Murch (Mick Hall Photography). Start Line, Finish Line and course photographs.

Lizzie Plant – Blackstar Scotland. Finish Line and course photographs

Joel Jameson. Start Line. Course photographs – Album 1, Album 2, Album 3, Album 4, Album 5, Album 6, Album 7, Album 8, Album 9, Album 10, Album 11, Album 12, Album 13.

GB Ultras Event Team. Finish Line and course photographs

Monika Dratwa. Start Line, Finish Line and course photographs

The results for the 2024 Race Across Scotland will be available real-time during the event and we’ll update this page with the link prior to the event.  In the meantime, please click on the ‘2023 Results’ link above to see this years results. 

As each runner crosses the finish line, their race chip records their individual finishing position and finishing time.

Your position and time shown in the results link is your official result. Please note that the tracking system is different to the timing system and has no bearing on your chip time or result.

To ensure that every runner is looked after and accounted for sleep is only permitted at Village Halls, Designated Venues & Checkpoints, or at Support Vehicles. It is not permitted to book accommodation away from the trail as this is a Race.

This is also to ensure everyone is treated equally in the Race Across Scotland.

Race Across Scotland Admission Waiver

Each ultra runner agrees and understands the full nature of an Ultra-Marathon. That an Ultra-Marathon involves running throughout the day and well into the night at times with limited rest over challenging terrain with inherent risks of changing weather conditions. Each ultra runner understands that it is their responsibility to adequately train for the event, and monitor their own health throughout and are ultimately responsible for their own safety.

Each ultra runner understands these are there responsibilities not those of GB Ultras.

Please read these terms and conditions carefully and make sure that you understand them, before placing an entry on our site. By submitting your entry form, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions (“the Terms”), and by submitting, you declare that you hereby, for yourself, your heirs and executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, declare that:-

1. I hereby agree to comply with the Conditions of Entry and all event rules and regulations as set down by GB Ultras Ltd (“the Event Organisers”) a company registered in England and Wales under company number 09397186. These conditions include the length of time taken to complete sections of the course which may be implemented by the Event Organisers, at their discretion, to ensure safe and proper running of the event.
2. I agree that the decision of the Race Referee will be final in all circumstances and no discussion will be entered into.
3. I agree to conduct myself in a sporting, professional and cautious manner during my participation in the event and understand that I may be disqualified if I do not do so.
4. I understand participation in this Event is physically strenuous and demanding and am fully aware of the nature of the event and all associated medical and physical risks involved. I further certify that I am physically capable of competing in this Event and I will only compete if I am fit enough to do so.
5. I will be immediately disqualified from the Event if I am found to have intentionally shortened the route to the race, and found to be deliberately littering the course.
6. If I have any medical condition(s), including allergies, which the Event Organisers or Event medical advisors might need to be aware of, I have provided details of this on my entry form, and will also provide written details of this on the rear of my pin-on numbers prior to my participation in the Event. I agree to display my number at all times during the Event.
7. I acknowledge that my pin-on number is personal to me and it is non-transferable under any circumstances.
8. I understand and agree that I participate in this Event entirely at my own risk, that I must rely on my own ability in dealing with all hazards, and that I must conduct myself in a manner that is safe for myself and all others throughout the duration of this Event.
9. I agree to retire immediately from the event if ordered to do so by the Event Organisers, any government official or member of the emergency services.
10. I accept full liability for any medical expenses incurred as a result of training for and/or participating in the Event
11. I accept that the Event Organisers, sponsors, race officials, medical advisers and any person involved in the organisation of this Event are not liable for any injury or illness or resultant death that I may suffer as a result of my participation in the Event, whether prior to, during or subsequent to the Event. I enter the race entirely at my own risk. I renounce any rights and claims for damages that I may have against the Event Organisers, sponsors, race officials, medical advisers and any person involved in the organisation of this Event together with their officers, directors, shareholders, successors and assigns, (collectively, “Releasees”) and release them from all liability to the Participant and his/her personal representatives, assigns, heirs, executors, and successors for loss(es), damage(s) and claims therefor on account of injury to Participant or his/her property or the resultant death of Participant, whether caused by the active or passive negligence of the Releasees or otherwise, in connection with Participants involvement in the Event (“Losses”), and further covenants not to sue any of the aforementioned parties for such Losses.
12. Whilst the Event Organisers take every care with the staging of the Event, I accept that I must make all reasonable precautions for the safeguarding of my person and of my property during my participation in this Event. I further acknowledge that personal accident and personal items insurance is my responsibility.
13. I understand that at registration, I must produce photographic identification.
14. I am aware that when running, the function of the marshals is only to indicate direction and that I must decide if the movement is safe.
15. I accept that, in relation to my participation in this Event, I am required to obey instructions from marshals and relevant signage before, during and after the Event.
16. The Event Organisers introduce cut off times for completion of sections of the course as they see fit. These will be made clear prior to the race. Competitors may be instructed to withdraw from the Event in accordance with the imposed cut off times.
17. I accept that the Event Organisers reserve the right to amend the event format or cancel the Event due to health and safety reasons, including storm, rain, inclement weather, winds or any other act of god conditions. I accept that my Entry fee shall be non-refundable in this circumstance as costs have already been incurred.
18. I accept that the Event Organisers will do their utmost to provide me with a finish time following my completion of the Event, however they will not be held responsible for any computer result anomalies.
19. I will be 20 years old or over on the day of the Event (Rule T3 (141) S5 UKA Trail Running).
20. I have read, understood and accept the GB Ultras Ltd Withdrawal Policy.
21. I understand that confirmed entry to this event is dependent on a fully and accurately completed online Entry Form; and receipt of payment to cover my Entry fee at least 10 working days (2 weeks) in advance of the event. If either of these conditions is not fulfilled then my entry will not be valid nor accepted, and I will not be eligible to take part in the Event.
22. Through my completion and submission of the online Entry Form, I am committing to paying for my Event entry via the means as instructed on the GB Ultras Ltd website.
23. I irrevocably consent to my appearance in any media format, in relation to the publicity of this Event, and in future publicity and advertising of GB Ultras Ltd; provided that such use does not imply my direct endorsement of any official sponsor or suppliers of the Event.
24. All decisions and rulings by the Event Organisers, its employees and its agents are considered final.
25. The Event Organisers reserve the right to vary these conditions by giving notice to in writing in any official event material or correspondence prior to the Event.
26. A person who is not party to these Terms shall not have any rights under or in connection with them under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.
27. We will not be liable or responsible for any failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of our obligations under the Terms that is caused by events outside our reasonable control (Force Majeure Event).
A Force Majeure Event includes any act, event, non-happening, omission or accident beyond our reasonable control and includes in particular (without limitation) the following: strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action; civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack, war (whether declared or not) or threat or preparation for war; fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake, subsidence, epidemic or other natural disaster; impossibility of the use of railways, shipping, aircraft, motor transport or other means of public or private transport; impossibility of the use of public or private telecommunications networks; the acts, decrees, legislation, regulations or restrictions of any government; and pandemic or epidemic.
28. I have read, understood and accept the GB Ultras Ltd Withdrawal Policy.
29. Should a GPS Tracker be damaged, lost or stolen then the entrant agrees to cover the cost of the tracker which is £150 + VAT per GPS tracker.
30. Upon withdrawal or completion of Ultra Great Britain, the runner agrees to return the GPS tracker to the Race Organiser. If a GPS tracker is not returned to a dedicated Race Marshal then the runner will be charged £150 + VAT.

If you see a runner experiencing difficulties during Race Across Scotland please inform Checkpoint Marshals. Each runner should save Race HQ mobile numbers on their mobile phone.

No roads are closed en route so please exercise due diligence and care at all times. This will mean that participants have to slow, possibly stop to cross roads.

There are certain sections that lead onto country road, and/or road crossings – due to the length of the route – it won’t be possible to marshal a 215 mile route. It is the role of the entrant to be self-sufficient.

Our team will endeavour to reach any participant in difficulty within 30 minutes to 1 hour due to the inaccessibility of the trail. Medical staff will be dispatched as quickly as possible. Phones must be used only in emergency to conserve battery power should the need arise.

Participants who lose time helping another fallen participant, struggling against the cut off time due to this reason, can claim this time back, subject to RD discretion, Checkpoint/Village Hall hire availability and event team/medical team availability, and under the proviso of completing within their new, extended cut off period.

GB Ultras believe all participants should make proper and mindful transport arrangements prior to the event and NO participant should be in charge of a car directly after the event. Please make sensible arrangements.

Runners can have their own Support Team/Crew to Support their Race. Please ensure that you have briefed each member of your Crew with the following information:

• No more than two Support Crew members supporting an individual runner are permitted in a checkpoint at any one time.
• A single vehicle per runner is permitted at each checkpoint. Support crews must not arrive at checkpoints more than 30 minutes prior to their runners expected arrival time. If you do so, you will be asked to leave and return at a later time. You can follow your runners progress via the live tracker to ensure that you don’t arrive too early.
• Support crew members must not impede checkpoint teams nor other runners.
• Support crews must not take the food nor drink from the Village Hall except for their runner unless given permission to do so.
• Support Crews must respect Event Staff and are not permitted into the kitchen area unless given permission to do so by the Checkpoint Manager.   Failure to do so will result in the Support crew being asked to leave the Venue and possible time implications or disqualification of the runner.
• Support Crews are responsible for their own rubbish and must take it with them.  Support Crews are not permitted to leave rubbish with the Checkpoint Teams.

During night time periods or if it is obvious runners are sleeping at a checkpoint it is essential that Support crews respect other runners and keep noise to a minimum or they will be asked to leave the venue.

Support Crews are not permitted at the following locations:

• Checkpoint 2
• Checkpoint 7
• On the B7067 at Knowe (to ensure access for care of elderly residents is not affected)
  
  

Support crews turning up at locations where they are not permitted will result in their runner being disqualified from the event.

Dogs are not permitted at any of the checkpoints or the finish venue (with the exception of Guide Dogs)

For those with a Support Crew, we require a Name and Contact Number for your Support Crew prior to the event – this will be requested in the lead up to the race.

Due to the type of event, participants must also inform their support crews of the following:

There is limited availability of shops on the route. Ensure that you have advised your support crew to have sufficient food and water for themselves during their journey.  Event food and refreshments are not for support crews.

There is a large distance between towns and villages on the route.  Please ask support crews to monitor their fuel levels and top up when they reach fuel stations to reduce the likelihood of breakdown in a hard to reach area.  The Event Team are focused on managing the event and are not able to provide support crew assistance.

There is sometimes low or no signal area in the Southern Uplands, particularly near dense forests or in valleys when passing mountains.

The Support Crew Access Points below are recommendations of possible points that your support crew can get their vehicle closer to their runner during the race. However, you must ensure that your vehicle is suitable for the route and terrain. Some points may be more suitable for a 4×4 vehicle. Some access points are via single track roads with very limited passing places meaning oncoming traffic will require one of the vehicles to reverse for a long period of time. 

Additional access points:

Prior to the Race Across Scotland