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Sunday, 30 August 2026

Marathon

The Marathon is the ultimate running challenge at explorr. This demanding route takes runners across the forests and gravel tracks of Royal Deeside, delivering a full distance experience shaped by wild landscapes and steady climbs.

Go The Full Distance

The explorr Marathon is a serious test of endurance across the landscapes of Royal Deeside. Long gravel sections, forest trails and rolling climbs shape a course that rewards patience, pacing and resilience. It’s a marathon built for runners who want a real challenge and a memorable finish.

Ready For The Marathon?

Take on the full distance and experience Royal Deeside on foot. With strong course support and the atmosphere of explorr waiting at the finish, this is a marathon to remember.

Course & Terrain

The Full Deeside Test

The explorr Marathon follows two laps of the Half Marathon course, doubling the challenge across the forests of Royal Deeside with 734 metres of total elevation. Each lap begins by crossing the River Dee from Banchory before a steady 4.5km climb gains around 150m through forest roads and gravel tracks. Rolling plateau sections offer brief relief before another climb near the 8km mark adds 50m of elevation.

From there the course flows through deep woodland gravel trails before descending towards the River Dee. The final kilometres of each lap follow a beautiful riverside path past quiet fishing beats and open Deeside views, guiding runners back into Banchory before heading out again for lap two. The full course map will be published soon.

Event information

Everything you need to know before race day. Key details to help you prepare for the 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 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 Marathon course will include ten feed stations (5 on each lap) positioned along the route.

  • Feed Station 1 – 4.5km
  • Feed Station 2 – 10km
  • Feed Station 3 – 14km
  • Feed Station 4 – 18km
  • Feed Station 5 – 19.5km
  • Feed Station 6 – 25.6km
  • Feed Station 7 – 31.1km
  • Feed Station 8 – 35.5km
  • Feed Station 9 – 39.1km
  • Feed Station 10 – 40.6km

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 Marathon (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, contact info@explorr.co.uk.

Runners in the 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 arriving after this time will not be permitted to start the race.

Marathon runners must also reach the second lap checkpoint by 14:35, allowing 4 hours to complete the first 21km of the course.

Runners who do not reach this checkpoint within the time limit will be directed to the finish line and will receive an official Half Marathon finishing time.

Cut-off times are in place to ensure the safety of participants and allow the event team to manage the course and medical support effectively. These 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.