Bennachie Ultra Marathon 2026

The Bennachie Ultra Marathon is a 50k trail race held on Bennachie, the most prominent hill range in North East Scotland. The start and finish are located at the Bennachie Visitor Centre, near Inverurie. The race takes place in October, beginning early in the morning. It is predominantly off-road, so participants should wear appropriate trail shoes. A 17.5-mile trail race is also offered on the same day for those who wish to experience the Bennachie terrain at a shorter distance. The route ascends over 5,000 feet, connecting multiple Bennachie summits such as Millstone Hill, Hermit Seat, Oxen Craig, Little Oxen, Craigshannoch, and Mither Tap. Mither Tap contributes a significant local detail to the race: its summit features the remnants of a hillfort believed to date back to approximately 1000 BC. Andrew Gordon and CGM Ultra Racing organize the event, with assistance from COTAG. A strict cut-off is enforced around 19 miles due to concerns for runner and marshal safety, given the autumn conditions and exposed hill terrain.