Sunday, 30 August 2026
Ready to Run Royal Deeside?
Five kilometres to a full marathon. Pick your distance. All on the forest tracks and gravel of Royal Deeside. Quiet backroads, riverside paths, Cairngorm views. Run hard, then cross the line straight into the festival.
5km
Flat, fast and mostly riverside. The friendliest way into race day, built for first-timers, families and anyone who wants a finish line in Banchory without the training block. Everyone's welcome on this one.
10km
Gravel paths and forest tracks that make you work for the views. The distance for stepping up from the 5k and seeing more of Royal Deeside on the way round. Quiet underfoot, loud at the finish.
Half Marathon
Rolling gravel and forest, with the climbs that come with proper Deeside terrain. Big views up top, a festival waiting at the line. A real distance to get stuck into and enjoy every kilometre of.
Marathon
Two laps of the half. 42km and 734m of climbing across forest and riverside gravel. The full Deeside distance, out for the adventure of the whole thing rather than the number on the clock.
Kids Race
A 1km loop of King George V Park for ages 5 to 11, split into the Wee Dash (5 to 8) and the Deeside Dash (9 to 11). A medal, a crowd, and a proper race day of their own.
Every Detail Covered
What's included
Your entry covers the course, the support that keeps you moving, and the full explorr festival at the finish.
Finisher Medal
Custom explorr medal to mark your achievement.
Electronic Timing & Live Results
Timed results with live updates and split times.
On-Course Fuel & Hydration
Fuel and hydration on course and at the finish.
Red Bull Flying KM
One fast kilometre, flat out if you fancy it. The Red Bull Flying KM clocks your split. Bragging rights included.
Spot Prizes
Surprise rewards up for grabs on the day.
Live Music
Finish into a festival soundtrack and enjoy evening sets.
Festival Atmosphere
Crowds, community and proper race-day energy.
Shakeout Runs
Social pre-race miles to loosen the legs.
Fully Marked Course
Clear kilometre markers and a fully signed course.
On-Course Medical Support
Professional medical team on site and on course.
The Location
Royal Deeside. Built for Adventure.
explorr takes place in Banchory, at the gateway to Royal Deeside and the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Pine forests, rolling hills and quiet gravel tracks shape one of Scotland’s most spectacular outdoor playgrounds. It is a landscape made for running and spending long days outside.
FAQ's
Have a question about explorr Run? Here are some of the key things runners often want to know before race day.
explorr Run offers four distances: 5km, 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon, all taking place on Sunday (30 August 2026) of the festival weekend.
No. The routes use a mix of gravel paths, forest tracks and some road sections, making them accessible to runners of all abilities.
Yes. The 5km and 10km are designed to be welcoming and achievable for new runners, while the longer distances offer a bigger endurance challenge.
All events start and finish in Banchory, Royal Deeside, with routes exploring forest trails, gravel paths and riverside tracks near the Cairngorms National Park.
Runners will find feed stations, clear course signage, marshals and medical support along the route, as well as a lively finish line in the Event Village.
All run events take place on Sunday 30 August 2026 as part of the explorr festival weekend.
Yes. The Event Village at King George V Park is free to attend and includes live music, food vendors, a bar and an outdoor adventure expo.
Yes. All runners who complete their event will receive a finisher medal.
Yes. Results are published using age groups, with podium prizes for top finishers (Overall winners for both Male/Open and Female categories in 5km, 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon) and complimentary entries for next year's event for age group winners.
Absolutely. explorr is designed as a festival for runners, riders and the wider outdoor community, with plenty to enjoy across the weekend.
Where possible, runners will be able to upgrade or change distance before the event, subject to availability.
explorr Run is part of a three-day outdoor festival combining running, gravel cycling, live music, talks, films and a vibrant Event Village in Royal Deeside.