| Competitors
will be transported from Macdonald’s Aviemore
Highland Resort by bus to the Badaguish Centre where
competitors will begin the race.
The Course is set superbly within
the shadow of the mighty Cairngorm Mountains and passes
through Glenmore Forest Park and around Loch Morlich
before making your way down into Aviemore, crossing
the world famous River Spey salmon river on the way
and into the Finish at Macdonald Aviemore Highland
Resort.
The first 4 miles are set within
the Queens Forest in Glenmore Forest Park with runners
following the excellent forest tracks looping around
the Badaguish Centre. As you pass the 4-mile mark,
you make your descent toward the picturesque Loch
Morlich; you will get your first stunning views of
the mighty Cairngorms plateau and northern corries
ahead.
Just before Glenmore Village (4.5miles)
the route turns to pick up the forestry cycle way
for a few hundred metres, before the marshalled road
crossing across the 'ski road' and into the Loch Morlich
Watersports area (water station and toilets). From
here, the runners will get glimpsing views through
the trees of the shimmering loch and it's sandy beaches
before crossing a narrow footbridge (5 miles) over
the river.
The next 2.5 miles follows the
wonderful track around the south side of Loch Morlich
giving amazing views across the whole loch and the
hills above. Just after 7 miles the runners pass from
Forestry Commission land into Rothiemurchus Estate
then rejoin the 'ski road' at the Rothiemurchus Lodge
bridge.
Once you rejoin the “ski
road” its all downhill from here! The road gently
drops down to Coylumbridge following the River Luineag
on the left and eventually joining the Sustrans cycle
way at the 10.5-mile mark. With Aviemore beckoning
and lots of people to cheer on the competitors, the
route stays on the cycle way through Coylumbridge
and Inverdruie passing by Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre.
A marshalled road crossing by the
estate fish farm (toilets) will direct the runners
across the famous River Spey via the old pedestrian
bridge (12 miles) and the last mile of the route leads
under the main Highland railway line, across Aviemore
Main Street and into the Finish area at MacDonald’s
Aviemore Highland Resort.
Downloadable maps detailing the
route will be available soon.
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