Sunday, 30 August 2026
Run
From 5km to marathon, explorr takes you across the trails and gravel tracks of Royal Deeside. Forest paths, open landscapes and Cairngorm views shape every route. Run hard, then head straight into the festival.
5km
A welcoming 5km route through the landscapes of Royal Deeside. Perfect for new runners, younger participants or anyone looking to be part of race day at explorr and cross the finish line in Banchory.
10km
A fast and rewarding route on gravel paths and forest tracks. Ideal if you’re chasing a time or stepping up your distance. Expect great scenery, strong race support and a lively finish in the heart of the Event Village.
Half Marathon
A challenging half marathon across rolling gravel and forest terrain. This course rewards steady pacing and strong legs, with big Royal Deeside views along the way. A proper endurance test with a festival finish waiting in Banchory.
Marathon
The full distance across the landscapes of Royal Deeside. Long gravel sections, forest tracks and steady climbs make this a demanding but rewarding marathon. A serious challenge with the atmosphere of the explorr festival waiting at the line.
Every Detail Covered
What's included
Your entry includes great courses, strong race support and the full explorr festival atmosphere.
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.
Sprint Segment Challenge
Push the pace in the designated sprint section.
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 Festival 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 Women 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.