Three Days In Royal Deeside
The Festival
explorr is more than a race weekend. From 28–30 August 2026, the Event Village at King George V Park in Banchory becomes a gathering place for runners, riders, families and the wider outdoor community. With live music, great food, inspiring talks and a buzzing atmosphere, the festival is free and open to everyone.
Food & drink
A great selection of food vendors from across the region and beyond will be serving everything from pizzas and burgers to sweet treats and ice cream. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available, alongside a fully stocked festival bar with beer, wine, ales and more.
Festival Sounds
Live music
Enjoy live music throughout the weekend with a lineup of bands and performers taking to the stage. From relaxed afternoon sessions to lively evening sets, the festival soundtrack runs from Friday through Sunday.
The Festival Begins
Kick off the explorr weekend on Friday with an afternoon & evening of live music, inspiring panel talks and an outdoor adventure film night in the Event Village. It’s the perfect way to start the festival before the racing begins. Full details will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the Event Programme page for updates.
Sunday, 30 August 2026
Run
Sunday at explorr is dedicated to off-road running through the landscapes of Royal Deeside. Forest tracks, gravel paths and riverside trails shape a set of routes designed for every level of runner, from first-time racers to experienced endurance athletes.
5km
A welcoming 5km route through Banchory with a scenic riverside finish.
10km
A rewarding gravel and trail route with steady climbs and fast sections through Royal Deeside.
Half Marathon
A challenging forest and gravel route that tests endurance while showcasing Deeside landscapes.
Marathon
The full endurance test. Two laps through forests and along the River Dee.
Saturday, 29 August 2026
Gravel Stage Race
The explorr Gravel Stage Race takes riders across the forests, hills and gravel roads of Royal Deeside. A 120km route featuring four timed stages creates a tactical day of racing with climbs, sprint challenges and constantly changing terrain on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park.
Expo
Explore a premium outdoor expo featuring the latest gravel bikes, running gear and outdoor products. Meet leading brands, discover new kit and connect with the community. The expo is open throughout the weekend in the Event Village.
Future Explorers
Kids Races
The youngest members of the explorr community can join the action with our Kids Races in the Event Village. Children can take part in a short running race around King George V Park or a fun cycling race for balance and pedal bikes on a safe, traffic-free course. Participation medals for all. Entry is free but registration is required.
Kids Cycling Race
Age: Up to 8 years
Course: Approximately 150 metres
Bikes: Balance bikes and pedal bikes welcome
Young riders can take on a short, safe course in the Event Village and experience the excitement of race day. The route is fully traffic-free and designed to help children build confidence while riding to the explorr finish line.
Location: King George V Park, Banchory
Entry Fee: Free (advance registration required)
Finisher Medal: All participants receive a medal.
Kids Running Race
Age: Under 16
The Kids Running Race is a short and fun dash around Banchory, giving young runners the chance to experience the atmosphere of race day.
Distance: Approximately 600 metres
Course: Traffic-free closed road with finish in the Event Village
Entry Fee: Free (advance registration required)
Finisher Medal: All participants receive a medal.
Athlete Talks
Hear from some of the most exciting names in endurance sport. Across the weekend, inspiring athletes will take to the stage for panel talks and interviews, sharing stories from races, expeditions and life on the trails and gravel roads. Full details and guest announcements coming soon on the Event Programme page.
