Start Venue & Race HQ

Portpatrick Village Hall. The Harbour, Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway, DG9 8TZ.

Friday 9th August 2024.

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

Saturday 10th August 2024 – 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.

For those wishing to take on the ‘Race Across Scotland®’, we recommend a solid background of endurance/ultrarunning before taking on the event.

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

Participants must be at least 20 years old on race-day (Rule T3 (141) S5 UKA Trail Running), in good health and must have completed the APPLICATION FORM which is passed over the event team who will then confirm entry to the Race Across Scotland®! 

GB Ultras also require a ‘medical questionnaire’ (Logicoss) to be completed by each runner ‘prior to race day’ to ensure that we are aware of any pre-existing medical conditions during the race. For any questions please email info@GBUltras.com.

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,
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,
Water purification tablets or Filter,
Backup lightsource,
‘Emergency’ Food Rations (500 Calories)
GPS Tracker (Provided by GB Race Tracker Prior to the Race).

Waterproof trousers now added to the Mandatory Kit list.

Recommended Kit

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

Please be aware GB Ultras Races 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.

Dropbags will be transported to the Finish line for runners to collect at Cockburnspath Village Hall.  

2024 Dropbag allocation likely to be adjusted. Dropbag 1 & 3 will likely be the same bag.  Dropbag 2 and 4 will likely be the same.  TBC.

DROPBAG 1 – Checkpoint 4
St Johns Town of Dalry – Max 40cm x 35cm x 40cm (L x W x H) – Medium Pack approx. 30 Litre

DROPBAG 2 – Checkpoint 7
Beattock Village Hall – Max 40cm x 35cm x 40cm (L x W x H) – Medium Pack approx. 30 Litre

DROPBAG 3 – Checkpoint 11
Lauder Scout Hall – Max 35cm x 25cm x 20cm (L x W x H) – Medium Pack approx 35 Litre

DROPBAG 4 – Finish line
Medium Holdall 

OVERSEAS RUNNERS – Finish line bag can be a suitcase

The 215 Mile ‘Race Across Scotland’ Ultra-marathon has 12 Checkpoints en route with the principle aim of maintaining the highest level of support possible across the Southern Upland Way.

Cut-off times per checkpoint are implemented by GB Ultras, at their discretion, 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 Miles
Castle Kennedy Fuel Station, DG9 8RY. NX10830 59755.
Cut-off 11.51am Saturday

Checkpoint 2 – 22 Miles
New Luce, DG8 0NB. NX19075 64985.
Cut off 3.54pm Saturday. (No Access for support crews) 

Emergency Shelter – 27 Miles
Beehive Bothy, Kilgallioch Windfarm (No Access for support crews) 

Checkpoint 3 – 45 Miles
Glentrool Village Hall
Cut off 02.15am Sunday (20 hours). 

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

Checkpoint 4 – 67 Miles
St Johns Town of Dalry Village Hall, Ayr Road, DG7 3SW
NX61895 81190
Cut off 12.09pm Sunday (30 hours). 

Emergency Shelter – 85 Miles
Chalk Memorial Bothy – Poleskeoch 

Checkpoint 5 – 94 Miles
Sanquhar Town Hall, Church Road, Sanquhar, DG4 6DF
Cut Off 11.51pm Sunday (42 hours) 

Checkpoint 6 – 102 Miles
Wanlockhead Community Centre, Church Street, ML12 6UT
NS87400 12950
Cut-off 03.27am Monday (45 hours). 

Checkpoint 7 – 122 Miles
Beattock Village Hall, Craigielands Village, DG10 9QZ
NT07935 02295
Cut off 12.27pm Monday (54 hours). 

Emergency Shelter – 132 Miles
Over Phawhope Bothy 

Checkpoint 8 – 139 Miles
Boston Memorial Hall, Scabcleuch, Ettrick, Selkirk, TD7 5JB
Cut off 10.21pm Monday (64 hours). 

Checkpoint 9 – 157 Miles
Traquair Village Hall, 1 The Bield, Traquair, Innerleithen, EH44 6PJ
Cut off 5.00am Tuesday (71 hours). 

Checkpoint 10 – 167 Miles
Fairnilee Hut, Beside the River Tweed, B7060, Approx TD1 3PR/TD1 3PP. NT45875 32580
Cut off 7.48am Tuesday (74 hours). 

Checkpoint 11 – 185 Miles
Lauder Scout Hall, W High St, Lauder TD2 6TE
Cut Off 3.54pm Tuesday (82 hours). 

Checkpoint 12 – 198 Miles
The Watch Fishery Lodge, Longformacus, Near Duns, TD11 3PG
Cut-off 10.39pm Tuesday (89 hours). 

Finish – 220 Miles (due in part to Loch Trool diversion – 2023)
Cockburnspath Village Hall, Callander Place, TD13 5XY.
NT77363 71195
Cut off 10am Wednesday (Total time 100 Hours) 

Each Checkpoint provides water, further refreshments, and a variety of snacks and, at Village Halls, hot food too. We reserve the right to change the locations of Checkpoints.

Runners are self-sufficient between checkpoints, but are allowed a Support Crew from Glentrool (Checkpoint 3) onwards. Runners must also carry ‘mandatory kit’ 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.

A hard copy map of the Southern Upland Way and a base plate compass must also be carried as part of the ‘Mandatory Kit’.

A 215 mile race GPX file is available above, please note that the new Official SUW route now includes Gateshaw Rig, Croft Head and the descent via Cat Shoulder to Selcoth Burn.

Runners are permitted to have their own Support Crew during the race, please note the 2022 ‘Support Points’. However, no pacers are permitted.

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

Runners can have their own Support Team/Crew to Support their Race.

Depending on the location, no more than two Support Crew members supporting an individual runner are permitted in a Village Hall at any one time.  These must not impede Village Halls nor other runners.  Some of the Village Halls are medium sized Halls so to have 3 or 4 crew members for one runner limits the space.  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.  During night time periods or if it is obvious runners are sleeping at the Hall 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

Support Crews Permitted THROUGHOUT THE RACE – Except at Checkpoint 2 New Luce – due to insufficient parking and also Checkpoint 7 Beattock Village Hall due to noise concerns from local residents.

For those with a Support Crew, at Race Registration, we require a Name and Contact Number for your Support Crew.

All runners are permitted to have a Support Crew (please ensure that your Support Crew abides by the Rules of each CP).

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.

Each runner must carry their Mandatory kit at anyone time to ensure fairness during the Race.

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.

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.

31. The selection of the Scottish Parliament as a Venue is Subject to the Scottish Parliaments own set of Terms and Conditions.
These include but are not limited to Section 7 of the T & C’s. For example…
Cancellation by the SPCB
7.1 The SPCB reserves the right to cancel the Event giving 5 days notice if:
7.1.2 in the SPCB’s judgement, subsequent events determine that it would not be in the SPCB’S interests to allow the event to proceed;
7.1.3 the Event would, in the SPCB’s reasonable opinion, damage or prejudice the reputation or good name of the Scottish Parliament, MSP’s or the SPCB.
7.2 The SPCB reserves the right to cancel the Event without prior notice if:
7.2.1 Parliamentary business is unexpectedly rescheduled or the Parliament is recalled during a recess;
7.2.2 the Venue or the Premises are closed due to circumstances outside its control which precludes the Event taking place, for example, but not limited to a date agreed with the SPCB.

Prior to the Race Across Scotland

Due to the nature of the event, costs are incurred as soon as a participant signs up, no refunds are possible in this event.
Any deferrals to the 2025 Race must be done 8 weeks prior to the event at a cost of £59.90 due to costs incurred.

PLEASE NOTE – A DEFERRAL IS PERMITTED FOR 1 YEAR ONLY! 

ADMIN FEE link > https://www.gbultras.com/product/deferral-transfer-admin-fee-ras/ 

Transfers are possible up until 3 weeks before the Race day providing qualifying criteria is met and the new participant has been vetted.  Transfers incur an admin fee cost of £59.90.

Transfer your Race Across Scotland place to another runner

During the Race Across Scotland

Please inform a GB Ultras Race Marshal at one of the Checkpoint’s, Race HQ or the Race Director. This will ensure all participants who are registered and pull out of the race are accounted for, allowing for the accurate and safe running of the event. If a participant withdraws at a Checkpoint they must hand over their Race Number & GPS Tracker (property of GB Race Tracker) to race staff to signal their retirement. Marshals’ will switch off the tracker, inform Race HQ and each of the remaining Checkpoints can update their manual lists. A sweeper after the cut off time will take retired participants to the Finish Venue. Although ultimately decisions to continue are in the hands of the runner, GB Ultras reserve the right to pull any participant out of the race on health grounds.