Sunday, 30 August 2026
Half-Marathon
The honest Deeside test. Rolling gravel and forest, real climbing, then 6 kilometres of riverside trail to run it home. A distance to get properly stuck into, with the festival waiting at the line in Banchory.
A Proper Deeside Half
21km across the forests and gravel of Royal Deeside, one lap of the terrain the marathon runs twice. It climbs where it should, opens onto sweeping views, then hands you six kilometres along the River Dee to the finish. A half you run for the adventure, not the splits.
Take On The Half
Take on the half and see the best of Royal Deeside in a morning. Steady climbs, forest gravel, five feed stations and a festival finish.
Course & Terrain
The Best of Deeside on Foot
21.1K
365m
Starting on Dee Street, the first 1km rolls out on traffic-free tarmac before the gravel begins to climb towards Scolty Woodland car park. The work has its rewards straight away: big open views across Scolty Hill and out over the River Dee as you go up. A stretch of rolling gravel offers some reprieve before a punchy climb to the first feed station at 4.4km, refreshments waiting.
From there, rolling gravel tracks open up sweeping Deeside views before the route heads deeper into Blackhall Forest towards the second feed station at 8.5km. Next comes an adventurous stretch through Slewdrum Forest, managed by the Birse Community Trust, before the trail drops you back towards the River Dee and the third feed station at 14km.
What follows is the best of the day: 6 absolutely stunning kilometres hugging the River Dee, past quiet fishing beats, a mix of smaller trails and wider tracks, fresh river air carrying you on. Feed stations at 18km and 19.5km keep you going towards the Red Bull Flying KM, 1km out, your last chance for some bragging rights before the same finish as every explorr run: King George V Park.
Like all off-road courses, the route runs slightly over the advertised distance, so expect a little more than 21km on the day. Check out the full course map below.
Event information
Everything you need to know before race day. Key details to help you prepare for the Half-Marathon at explorr.
All runners will receive a timing chip integrated into their bib number. Your official result will be based on net chip time, measured from the moment you cross the start line until you cross the finish line.
Live results, including split times, will be available throughout race day via the official event timing platform.
Results will be published using age group categories, ensuring fair and competitive racing across all levels.
Age groups are calculated based on your age on race day and are split by gender (Male/Open and Female). Categories are as follows:
- U18 (16-17)
- U20 (18-19)
- Senior (20–34)
- V35
- V40
- V45
- V50
- V55
- V60
- V65
- V70
- V75
- V80
- 5-year age bands thereafter (as required)
Rankings for each age group will be included in the official results. The winner of every age group category will receive a complimentary entry to the following year’s explorr event.
The Half-Marathon will start in a mass start wave for the distance.
Start waves may be divided into pens based on the predicted finish time provided during registration. This helps create a smoother and safer start for all runners.
You can update your predicted finish time using the Edit Registration link in your confirmation email.
Starts for all explorr Run events will begin from 10:00, with the final wave expected to start no later than 10:30. Exact start timings will be confirmed closer to the event.
The 10km course will include three feed stations positioned along the route.
- Feed Station 1 – 4.4km
- Feed Station 2 – 10km
- Feed Station 3 – 14km
- Feed Station 4 – 18km
- Feed Station 5 – 19.5km
Each station will provide water, carbohydrate drink mix and bananas to help keep runners fuelled and hydrated.
Full details of nutrition and drink products will be confirmed in the Event Guide ahead of race weekend.
Running with a club or group of friends? Make sure to include your Club or Team Name during registration.
Spot prizes will be awarded for standout team performances, with more details to be announced closer to race day.
Looking for a fresh challenge for your team or business? The explorr Corporate Challenge is a chance for colleagues to take on the 5km (or any other explorr running event) together and be part of an unforgettable race day.
Bring your team to Royal Deeside, compete against other companies and enjoy the festival atmosphere after the finish. For corporate entry packages and group bookings visit www.explorr.co.uk/corporate.
Runners in the Half-Marathon event must be at least 16 years of age on race day.
There will be a start line cut-off time of 10:35. Runners who arrive after this time will not be permitted to start the race.
Cut-off times are in place to ensure the safety of participants and allow the event team to manage road closures and race operations effectively.
Please note that cut-off times may be subject to change.
Make race day simpler with our bag drop service.
Leave your bag with the event team before the start and collect it when you return to the Event Village. Whether it is a change of clothes, extra gear or post-run essentials, your bag will be safely waiting for you at the finish.
Your safety is our priority.
Red On Sports delivers events to the highest safety standards and the explorr Run is no exception. A dedicated Event Control team will monitor the race and coordinate medical or emergency support whenever required.
Medical teams will be positioned along the route and at the finish area to ensure runners receive assistance if needed.