Marathon races near Kemnay

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.

The Dramathon, a whisky-themed race series, takes place in Speyside every October, offering a marathon, half marathon, 10k, and relay. The full marathon follows the Speyside Way, starting at Glenfarclas distillery and finishing at Glenfiddich distillery, linking the start and finish to two well-known single malt names. The race distances are themed: the marathon is the Full Dram, the half marathon is the Half Dram, and the 10k is the Wee Dram. The course passes distilleries such as Cragganmore, Cardhu, and Balvenie. Runners receive whisky miniatures at the finish line, with the quantity dependent on the distance completed. Over 1,500 runners typically participate, with entrants from more than 25 countries. The event is also known as The Speyside Single Malt Marathon, accurately describing it as a combination of trail or road running and a tour of one of Scotland's premier whisky regions.