DISTANCE
56 MILES
ELEVATION
2447M
LOCATION
ST JOHNS
PLACES
200
CUT-OFF TIME
18 HOURS
ENTRY FEE
£99
ultra-scotland-50-icon.png

ULTRA SCOTLAND 50

Saturday 8th June 2024

Take on some of the greatest trails in Scotland along the glorious Southern Upland Way. Starting at St John's Town of Dalry, home of the Covenanter's Burning Bush; the remarkable forests and valleys and the majestic mountains of Southern Scotland await.

A memorable and landmark event with GB Ultras support and Live Online Tracking via GB Race Tracker.  The trail is way-marked as one of Scotland’s Great Trails with 2560m of ascent.  UTMB performance index and ITRA mountain points.

Ready for the challenge?

Secure your place on the Ultra Scotland 50 now! You can also choose to pay by instalments.

Follow the Ultra Scotland 50 page & Join the GB Ultras Community Group.

Course Records

Mens PB – Keith Wigley (GBR) Swaledale Runners: 9 Hours, 3 Minutes (2022)

Ladies PB – Carol Newman (GBR) Carnethy Hill Running Club: 11 Hours 52 Minutes (2022)

Qualifier-100K.png
Days
Hours
Minutes

Are You Ready To

Be Challenged? Make Friends? Laugh? Cry?

Gold, Silver or Bronze?

Top 100 Finishers earn a Gold ‘Ultra Scotland’ Medal. 101 – 200 Placed Finishers earn a Silver ‘Ultra Scotland’ Medal. And 201+ Finishers earn the beautiful Bronze ‘Ultra Scotland’ Medal.

The Ultra Scotland 50 mile ultramarathon is part of the the GB Ultras 50 Mile GRAND SLAM!

Click Below To Watch The Live Online Tracking

All The Ultra Scotland 50 Information

We want you to have the most amazing time at the Ultra Scotland 50! All the information you need to participate in this event is below.

At least 20 years old + at the time of the race (Rule T3 (141) S5 UKA Trail Running).

In good health.

Must have run at least a marathon distance race prior to the event (no timescale).
This can be for an event not yet taken place but that will be completed prior to the start date.

Start Venue

St Johns Town of Dalry Town Hall, Ayr Road, DG7 3SW

Pre-Race Registration – Friday 7th June 2024

5.30pm – 9.00pm Race Registration: Bib Number Collection

Race Day – Saturday 8th June 2024

4.15am – 5.30am Race Registration: Bib Number Collection, GB Race Tracker Collection, dropbag drop-off

6.00am – Race Mass Start

Finish Venue

Moffat Rugby Club. The Holm, Moffat DG10 9QJ

Earlstoun Estate, DG7 3SR

There is parking available on the Earltoun Estate behind St Johns Town of Dalry Village Hall, (What 3 words location – tightrope.sensible.alright).  To gain access to the event field please follow the A713 Ayr Road past the Town Hall and past the fuel station to the next left turn approximately a quarter of a mile further along the road until the junction with the A762.  Event parking access is available shortly after this turn.

The Mandatory Kit stipulated in this section must be carried at all times during Ultra Scotland as it is the duty of the participant to be self-sufficient throughout the event. The Checkpoints 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 – Min 10,000mm

Base Plate Compass

Base layer long sleeved (Separate from Start Kit in a dry bag) in your pack.

Water bottle or bladder – min 1 litre capacity

Fully charged mobile phone

Emergency blanket, e.g. foil blanket.

Headtorch min 75 Lumens

Back up light source min 25 Lumens (Not your Phone)

Emergency Rations min of 500 calories

Whistle

GPS Tracker (property of GB Race Tracker).

Recommended Kit

Electrolytes – S-caps

Hat & Gloves

First aid kit

Cup

50 Mile Runners can utilise a Dropbag facility to take a bag from the start to meet them at the finish line, e.g. it might contain some clean clothes to change into.  Please hand in your dropbag at Race Registration at St Johns Town of Dalry Town Hall, no later than 5.40am prior to the race.  Please ensure the bag is clearly labelled with your NAME, 50 MILE RUNNER, & BIB NUMBER.

We cannot accept liability for lost or stolen bags.

Max 40cm x 35cm x 40cm (L x W x H) – Small/Medium Pack Up to 30 Litre

Optional coach travel back to St John’s Town of Dalry is available at a cost of £19.99

Availability of places is subject to how many book the return coach – coach places booked will dictate times the coach transport is available.  Provisionally, there might be one coach booked which will depart the finish venue at the event cut off time for the 50 mile.

Checkpoint 1 – 8 Miles – Stroanpatrick/Culmark, B729, DG7 3UE. NX64020 91703. Cut Off 8:56am Saturday… No Support Crews Permitted.

Emergency Shelter – 18 Miles – Chalk Memorial Bothy – Poleskeoch NS 68585 01850… No Support Crews Permitted – Emergency access only. 

Checkpoint 2 – 26 Miles – Sanquhar Town Hall, Church Road, DG4 6DF. NS 78075 10110. Cut Off 3:32pm Saturday. 

Checkpoint 3  – 34 Miles – Wanlockhead Community Centre, Church Street, ML12 6UT. NS87400 12950. Cut-off 6:28pm Saturday. 

Checkpoint 4  – 40 Miles. A702, Biggar, ML12 6TH – Large passing place. NS 93125 10035. Cut-off 8:40pm Saturday.  

Finish  – 55 Miles. Moffat Rugby Club, The Holm, Moffat, DG10 9QJ

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

All runners are permitted to have a Support Crew from Checkpoint 2 onwards (unless stated otherwise – please ensure that your Support Crew abides by the Rules of each checkpoint team. Failure to do so will result in YOUR disqualification from the race).

 

NO SUPPORT TEAMS PERMITTED at Checkpoint 1 (Stroanpatrick)

Checkpoint 2 – 26 Miles. Sanquhar Community Centre, Station Road, Sanquhar, DG4 6BT.
 
Access Point – 31 Miles – Church Street, Wanlockhead, ML12 6XQ
 
Optional Support Crew Base – 34 Miles – Wanlockhead Inn – ML12 6UZ – Sunday 12pm – 9pm. (Pre Bookable) Camping pods & hot food also available to purchase at the Inn – Community Centre Hall (CP) across the road.
 
Checkpoint 3 – 34 Miles. Wanlockhead Community Centre, Church Street, ML12 6UT. NS87400 12950. Cut-off 6.28pm Saturday. Respect other participants.
 
Checkpoint 4 – 40 miles, A702, Biggar, M12 6TH.
 
Resupply Point/Refuel – Moffat nearby– Fuel Garage and local shops, DG10 9EL – Fuel only 24 hours
 
Resupply Point – 54 Miles – Old Stables Inn – Beattock – DG10 9QX.

Checkpoint 5  – 55 Miles. Moffat Rugby Club, The Holm, Moffat, DG10 9QJ. Cut off 0:00 AM Sunday.

 

Depending on the location, no more than one or two Support Crews members supporting an individual runner are permitted in a Village Hall at any one time, these must not impede Village Halls nor other runners and further Info will be provided to Crews closer to the event indicating where the Crews are permitted.

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 comply with instructions from the checkpoint team will result in the Support crew being asked to leave the Venue and possible disqualification of the runner.

If you see a runner experiencing difficulties please inform Checkpoint Marshals. Each runner should have RACE HQ mobile numbers stored in their phone (shared in Race Instructions closer to the time of the event).

It is the role of the entrant to be self-sufficient.  Should an incident occur, our team will endeavour to reach any participant in difficulty as quickly as possible, with marshal’s stationed in hard to reach locations. Phones must be used only in an 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 and under the proviso of completing within their new, extended cut off period.  This may not always be possible due to various factors, i.e. checkpoint and medical team staffing.

GB Race Tracker provide the Live Online GPS Tracking for the event with updates on participant positions approximately every 2 minutes (subject to signal).  On the front of each tracker is an SOS button which when pressed immediately alerts the Race Director & Race HQ that urgent help is required who can then act accordingly.

In the event of a Medical Emergency please call 999 first and then inform Race HQ.

Ultra-Marathon 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.

28. You agree that we may publish your Personal Information as part of the results of the Event and may pass such information to the governing body or any affiliated organisation for the purpose of insurance, licences or for publishing results either for the event alone or combined with or compared to other events. Results may include (but not be limited to) name, any club affiliation, race times, occupation and age category. You consent that your details maybe passed onto GB Race Tracker Ltd and Race Tracker AS to ensure the smooth and accurate running of the Tracking software. Your details may also be passed onto 3rd parties via Live tracking so that your family and friends and the general public can follow every entrants position during the Race.

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. You agree that we may publish your Personal Information as part of the results of the Event and may pass such information to the governing body or any affiliated organisation for the purpose of insurance, licences or for publishing results either for the event alone or combined with or compared to other events. Results may include (but not be limited to) name, any club affiliation, race times, occupation and age category. Your details may also be passed onto 3rd parties via Live tracking so that your family and friends and the general public can follow every entrants position during the Race.

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 the Race, the runner agrees to return the GPS tracker to the Race Organiser. If a GPS tracker is not returned to a dedicated Race Marshal at Race HQ then the runner will be charged £150 + VAT.

31.  I have read, understood and accept the GB Ultras Ltd Withdrawal Policy.

Prior to the race

Due to the nature of the event, costs are incurred as soon as a participant signs up, no refunds are possible in this event.  However, GB Ultras understand injuries do occur so would URGE ALL RUNNERS to take out DOGTAG PERSONAL MEDICAL COVER or BMC Personal Cover to help claim back the entry fee (due to injury) and thus following the insurance companies process. Please be aware that the Insurance Company determines whether the nature of your injury will necessitate a refund.

We allow deferrals to the following years race or transfer of your place to another runner subject to the timescales below. Transfers to another runner are also subject to the replacement runner meeting the qualifying criteria for the event (please see the Qualifying Criteria section).
 

Deferrals

Any deferrals to the the following years Race must be requested by emailing the event team at events@gbultras.com no later than 8 weeks prior to the event subject to payment of an administration fee. No deferral requests will be permitted after this time. Click here to pay the Admin Fee.

Please note that a deferral is permitted for one year only (unless due to pregnancy – please see GB Ultras Pregnancy Deferral Policy below).

Pregnancy Deferral

  1. Women who have entered a GB Ultras event and are, or become, pregnant prior to race day can defer entry for up to two years.
  2. Women who fall pregnant again during the deferral period may request another deferral for up to an additional two years.
  3. Partners are also able to defer for one year if the birth is imminent.
  4. To defer please email events@gbultras.com with the medical certificate/medical confirmation of the pregnancy/birth.
  5. All other rules and requirements for race entry will apply.

 

Transfers to another runner

Transfers are possible up until 3 weeks before the Race day providing qualifying criteria is met (marathon experience) and payment of an administration fee. No transfer requests will be permitted after this time.  Click here to pay the Admin Fee.

Participants allowing another person to run under their name and bib no will be in breach of English Athletics code of conduct and will be disqualified.  The organiser must be informed of any change.

Once the administration fee has been paid, please email the team at events@gbultras.com with the following details of the replacement runner:
 
Full name
Date of Birth
Full address and postcode
Mobile
Email address
Running Club (if any)
UKA membership number (if any)
Next of kin name
Next of kin number
 

During the race

Please inform a GB Ultras Race Marshal at one of the Checkpoint’s or Race HQ.  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 to the Event team to signal their retirement.  Marshals will inform the race organiser and each of the remaining Checkpoints can update their event documentation.

Upon withdrawal from the race, it is the responsibility of the individual to get themselves home (or to the finish if required to collect their dropbag). We would recommend having your own Support Crew or someone on standby to collect you in case of unexpected withdrawal during the event.

Where possible, runners withdrawing from the race may be able to be transported by GB Ultras event support from a checkpoint back to Race HQ however this cannot be guaranteed. Priority will be given to runners still participating in the race.

Where it is possible to transport a runner to the finish, this will only be available after a checkpoint closes and therefore may involve a significant wait. In addition, as event teams are deployed to multiple checkpoint locations, transport to Race HQ may involve intermediate stops on route for further (potentially lengthy) periods of time before heading to Race HQ.

GB Ultras also reserve the right to pull any participant out of the race on health grounds. 

Play Video

Ultra Scotland 50 Race Brief Video

Play Video

Ultra Scotland 50 Mandatory Kit Video

The Route

Following the Southern Upland Way! Following one of Scotland’s great trails, the breathtaking Southern Upland Way.  Unveiled in 1984 at Tibbie Shiels beside St Mary’s Loch, the route passes through the forests, valleys and over the mountains of southern Scotland.  The route also shares tales of history gone by including the Killing Times. 

The SUW rangers team, working beside local authorities, landowners and volunteers, have helped to establish the trail as one of the best in the UK.

Part Of The 50 Mile Grand Slam

Take on 5 of our 50 Mile Ultra Marathons for the Grand Slam Medal or take on 8 50 Mile Ultra Marathons for the Super Slam & get in to the Hall of Fame

Ultra Scotland Training Runs

All ‘entrants’ are invited to join the Team on training runs covering key sections of the Ultra Scotland 50 route prior to Race day. You can attend as many as you like, one day or both days of any given training weekend with the aim of learning the route and increasing confidence come Race day. You’ll also have the chance to meet other runners taking on the Race.  Training runs will have a small charge of £19.99 for 1 day or £34.99 for both days for attendance. Included is –

  • Fully guided recce run
  • Mandatory kit advice
  • Exclusive group messenger chat for recce and race prep
  • Limited edition buff
  • Meet the team
  • Gain trail experience and knowledge

Pace wise we’ll be going at a nice gentle pace ensuring all runners stay as a group with brief stops approximately every couple of miles.
Generally our training runs have high attendance and for safety reasons we’ll be imposing a limit depending on feedback. 

Please take into account weather conditions closer to the time. We recommend runners refer to the Mandatory kit section and carry sufficient food/water for the duration of each of the runs.

Section Covered & Distance

St Johns Town of Dalry to Sanquhar 26 Miles

Starting point

8:00am St John’s Town of Dalry Town Hall, DG7 3SW.

Finish point

Sanquhar Town Hall, DG4 6DF. Car Sharing: Required.

Section Covered & Distance

Sanquhar to Beattock 26 Miles

Starting point

8:00am Sanquhar Town Hall, DG4 6DF.

Finish point

Beattock Village Hall, DG10 9QZ. Car Sharing: Required.

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