ESSENTIAL EVENT INFORMATION 2026

Train  

If you are travelling by train, we recommend arriving into Edinburgh on Friday 24th July and staying centrally, this will place you in easy distance of the start line for the following morning.  

At the finish line, you can then hop on our free shuttle bus from Glamis to Dundee train station and catch an onward train. 

Driving  

If you are driving to Edinburgh, we recommend finding a long term car park in the city centre where you can leave your car for the duration of the event. We recommend you book a seat on one of our Glamis – Edinburgh post-event bus transfers via your RR account which will bring you back into Edinburgh city centre where you can pick your vehicle back up for any onward travel. 

Flying 

If you are flying, we recommend flying into Edinburgh on or before midday Friday 24th July to allow any time for delays etc. You can then grab a bus, taxi or tram from Edinburgh Airport into the city centre.  

At the end of the event, you can either hop on our free shuttle to Dundee train station where you could grab a train back to Edinburgh or book a seat on one of our post-event transfers back to Edinburgh. It is vital you leave yourself enough time to connect with onward travel. You may need to wait a while for the free shuttle and our post-event transfers operate a set times so please do consider this and be prepared ti swing in a plan B if you finish earlier or later tha expected and this puts pressure on your travel plans. Rat Race cannot be held responsible for any missed flights or trains.

There is no parking available at Glamis Castle pre-event.

Rat Race Coach Transfer back to Bamburgh  

​We have 4 buses from the finish line back to Edinburgh (King Stables Road by Princes Street Garden).  

• Sunday 26th July 6pm  

• Monday 27th July 10am  

• Monday 27th July 6pm  

• Tuesday 28th July 10am  

We appreciate that your event may not go to plan and you end up finishing at a different time than you originally planned. If you miss your prebooked bus we will get you on the next one that has available seats. This may be the following day so you should be prepared to book accommodation if this happens to you or to find alternatives if you cannot wait. No refunds will be given in this instance for your bus ticket.  

Bus tickets should be purchased before 24th June, you will receive your passes in the post with your bib numbers. After 24th June, bus tickets will only be available at Tracker Collection,  subject to availability. 

Free Shuttle: Glamis Castle – Dundee Train Station 

We will operate a free shuttle from the finish to Dundee train station. This will run on a loop so please expect to wait at busy times as it is a 1 hour round trip. There will also be parking available at the finish so supporters can pick you up.   

Tracker Collection is at Apex Grassmarket hotel on Friday 24th July ONLY between 1200 - 2000.  

You must register and pick up your tracker between these times, there is no option to register on the morning of the event.  

The postcode for Registration is EH1 2HS, then follow our signage to the Apex suite.

REGISTRATION STEPS 

1) Adventure Pack - You will receive your adventure back through the post 1-2 weeks before the event. International participants will need to collect their bib number in person on 24th July from Tracker Collection. You MUST bring your bib number to tracker collection. 

2) Disclaimer - Your bib number will be scanned to show disclaimer completion and you will then receive your Castle to Castle Rat Rag.  You can complete the online disclaimer now HERE, it takes 2 mins and we encourage you to do this now and certainly well in advance of Tracker Collection. 

3) T-shirt collection - If you have pre-ordered a t-shirt, you will be able to collect this. The size you selected will be printed on your bib number.  

IMPORTANT: Pre-ordered t-shirts must be collected at Tracker Collection. If you do not collect your t-shirt, you will need to pay for this to be posted out to you after the event. 

4) Tracker Collection - You will be issued your tracker from Open Tracking. There will be a link available on the website closer to the event for you to share with friends/family so they can track your progress over the weekend. There is some important guidance on the trackers below so please do ensure you read this. You MUST bring your running backpack to Tracker Collection so your tracker can be taped on when allocated.​ 

Start Line Ready! 

REMINDER! 

You MUST bring the following to Tracker Collection: 

1) Bib Number 

2) Running Pack 

(Tracker will be taped directly to your pack)​ 

You will be issued with your Tracker from Open Tracking at Registration. 
The trackers rely on GSM & satellite signal to report, (which is generally very good across a lot of our route) but there is a delay on tracking. Sometimes, our team back at base will increase or decrease the reporting frequency, so those watching at home will sometimes not see your dot moving, or see you moving very slowly. Or they may see you adrift from others in the group (for example if you have not turned the tracker on!).  

It is REALLY important that you ensure anyone watching at home knows this, for their own peace of mind and for our own safety systems. Experience shows that if someone watching at home does not understand this, they can sometimes unwittingly commence full rescue missions by panicking, calling in the cavalry and sparking confusion for us as organisers. As such, it really is a very important point to note.   

You must return this device at the end of the event there is a charge levied of £150 for any tracker that is not returned. 

We recommend that people use the Open Tracking website and not the app for the best experience. The tracking link can be found on RR100 website and within this document closer to the event.  

Don’t forget to pick up a pacing wristband at registration! We've designed these handy bands to show the target times you need to hit each pit stop for the following completion times:​ 

Sub-24 hours 

Sub-30 hours 

Sub-48 hours​ 

No one likes mental maths especially in the midst of 100-miles! 

We will move up to 5 bags for you at the Rat Race 100. You will drop all of these with us on the Saturday morning at the start line. 

If you have a support team they can bring your bags to you if you prefer, they can also take them from you when you are finished with them. You do not have to use this service but it's there if you need it.  

IMPORTANT: Your drop bags/contents MUST be waterproofed as they will be exposed to the elements at various stages during their transport. Your bag labels will be provided in your adventure pack.  

BAGS WE WILL TRANSPORT: 

1) Pit Stop 3 up to 5kg and 15L  

This bag is intended as a small resupply bag of your nutrition or a spare pair of socks etc. We would recommend a dry bag of about 10L as an easily transportable option.  

​After you have finished with this bag we will transport it to the finish for you.  

2) Pit Stop 6 up to 5kg and 15L  

Recommended items for here would be spare clothes, a change of shoes as the route from here is predominantly road, spare socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, a top up of snacks and nutrition.   

After you have finished with this bag we will transport it to the finish for you.  

If you want to sleep at this stop, please see 'Sleep Station Bag' section. You are permitted 25L and 10kg. 

3) Pit Stop 7 up to 5kg and 15L  

Recommended items for here would be spare clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, a top up of snacks and nutrition. 

After you have finished with this bag we will transport it to the finish for you.  

If you want to sleep at this stop, please see 'Sleep Station Bag' section. You are permitted 25L and 10kg 

4) Pit Stop 8 up to 5kg and 15L  

Recommended items for this bag would be spare clothes, spare socks, a top up of snacks and nutrition. Maybe something to help push you through this last section!   

After you have finished with this bag we will transport it to the finish for you.  

If you want to sleep at this stop, please see 'Sleep Station Bag' section. You are permitted 25L and 10kg. 

5) Finish line bag up to 15kg and 70L  

We ask that these are duffel style vs hard suitcases. This will go straight to the finish from the start and it will be waiting for you at Glamis Castle.  

Supporters may bring you additional items to the Pit Stops.  

IMPORTANT NOTE ON  BAG DROPS & FORWARD MOVEMENT OF BAGS 

If you are using our bag drop system please ensure you collect your bag from each pitstop even if you DO NOT plan to use it, you must collect it from the collection area and move it to the 'Bags to the finish' area in order for it to meet you at the finish. Bags are moved at intervals throughout the event and if you do not collect your bag it will only be transported to the finish when the Pit Stop closes and it may not be there when you arrive as a consequence.  

Any bags not collected at the finish will be posted to you at a charge and may take up to 2 weeks after the event to arrive back with you.  

SLEEP STATION BAG GUIDANCE 

​You will choose in advance your designated sleep station, the options are:  

• Pit Stop 6: 57 miles  

• Pit Stop 7: 66 miles  

• Pit Stop 8: 78 miles ​ 

All of these pitstops have a standard dedicated drop bag logistic to them anyway (5kg and 15l), however, if you wish to sleep at one of these, you are permitted an increased allowance of up to 25L and 10kg to accommodate your sleep kit. 

Please note you cannot change your sleep station once you have dropped your bag off with us at the start. It cannot be transported to another location. This bag will only be transported onwards to the finish.  

You are not obliged to sleep. If you do plan to sleep, we would recommend a power nap of no longer than 90 minutes - 3 hours max.  ​ 

If you do plan to sleep. the additional kit you would need to add to your pitstop bag should be no more than:   

• Sleeping bag  

• Small pillow  

• Rollmat ​  

• Eye mask & Earplugs ​​ 

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SLEEP STATIONS - WHAT TO EXPECT 

​​​Sleep station facilities will be in the same room as the pitstop, this will be a warm room where you can find space in the sleep area to set up and get some shut eye. Please bring earplugs as there will be other participants and crew in and out of this pitstop. There are no beds provided so we recommend a good roll mat or thermarest style inflatable mat for comfort but it is personal choice.  

When utilising pitstop facilities at a pitstop that also has a sleep station, please be mindful of those sleeping and keep noise to a minimum where possible,  

SLEEPING IN SUPPORTER VEHICLES 

If you have a supporter and plan on sleeping in their vehicle rather than utilising the sleep stations, this is permitted. If you do this, you MUST text the Race Director phone number with the following specific info; 

1. Bib number 
2. Time you are leaving the route 
3. Where you are leaving the route (mile / location) 
4. Intended time to end sleep & rejoin route   

Then another text when you are back on route: 

1. Bib number 
2. Time back on route 
3. Location rejoining route 

ROUGH SLEEPING 

RR has put specific sleep locations and support in place for you. If you are planning to sleep, you must use these locations or you may sleep in supporter vehicles, if that option is available to you. 

We ask that you DO NOT sleep rough anywhere on the route. This is forbidden for many reasons; 

1. You will quickly become cold without shelter. 
2. You will become an obstacle on the route.  
3. Almost everyone that passes you will think that you need help and will disturb you. 
4. You may inadvertently cause the race team to come searching for you if we see you stopped for an extended period of time somewhere that is NOT the Pit Stop. 
5. You may cause nuisance to local residents. 

GOT A SUPPORTER WHO WOULD LOVE TO JOIN THE CREW? 

We are currently on the look out for some final hi-vis heroes to volunteer over the RR:100 weekend in various roles and help build the incredible atmosphere #ratracers know and love! 

As a volunteer you will receive:  

• £50 cash travel contribution 

• £150 event credit or a Rat Race kit bundle 

• A crew Rat Rag  

• Access to hot drinks/snacks/food 

• A fun day out! 

AVAILABLE SHIFTS 

You can sign up to any available shift here and the Rat Race team will be in touch ahead of the event to answer any questions you may have and provide your briefing docs. You can also contact the volunteer team on staffing@ratrace.com if you have any questions ahead of signing up! 

When running on public roads you should face oncoming traffic and travel in single file (on the right-hand side). However, should you be approaching a blind bend or rise, carefully move over to the other side of the road temporarily to ensure that you are not approaching any traffic on the same side as a blind bend. Our signage and marshals will occasionally direct you to do this too, please follow their instructions. Should there be two-way traffic we ask that you stop to allow the car to pass you, ensuring you do not force the car behind you into the path of oncoming traffic. If there is a path available, please use it.  

Once you have started, if you wish to drop out of the event at any point you must contact the Race Team or a Pit Stop Manager to inform them of your decision to do so, even if you do not need further support from us.  

If you do not have your own pick-up option (EG a support crew with you) we will arrange to collect you and move you forward along the course. We cannot move you backwards. Please also note that moving you forwards may involve wait times and additional stops due to logistical reasons. Our event team are unlikely to be able to move you onto the finish line immediately. Anyone withdrawing from the event will need to go to the finish line if you have left bags with us, as this is where all bags are moved forward to.   

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Race Team contact numbers are printed on your bib number.

In all instances you MUST return your tracker to us before leaving the event.   

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IMPORTANT NOTE! Any uncollected bags can be collected from Rat Race HQ, Hurstwood Business Centre, Thirsk Industrial Park, York Road, Thirsk, YO7 3BX from Thursday 30th July onwards. Please email events@ratrace.com ahead of travelling to the office so we can ensure there is a member of team at HQ to meet you.  

If you need us to post your bags to you, this will incur a postage fee £10.00. 

For the entirety of the event we ask that you do not wear dark or dull colours, or colours that blend with vegetation such as hedges. If you've got a jazzy pair of leggings or shorts, throw them on! For an event of this distance that takes you through the night, wearing brightly coloured clothing will enhance your safety on public roads. Please ensure you have reflective/hi-vis items ready for and road or night stages of the event, this will be checked as darkness falls.  

A little achluophobia (fear of the dark) is very normal in an ultra, it's common to feel a bit tired and emotional as the sun goes down and the batteries are running low. You may feel more vulnerable than usual when running on your own so we whole heartedly encourage you to strike up a conversation with a fellow #ratracer and make a new friend! We have buddy stations at certain pitstop (see more below) where you can wait to find a buddy to walk/run the next section with.  

We will have a waiting section at all pitstop locations between and including pitstop 3 to pitstop 9 where people who are a bit nervous about the next section through the night can hang fire for a buddy. Please make sure you check this section if you're happy to have some company along for the ride, we know our #ratracers are a friendly bunch! ​ 

Please ensure all gates are closed behind you and never climb over locked gates. This is to ensure livestock do not escape fields so please do not leave it open for the next runner unless they are close enough as to pass through with you. There are very few fields with cattle on the route but when you encounter them please do not disturb them and observe the following points: If you are the first person to enter the fields please stop running and be prepared to slow to a walk. Do not pass between calf and cows or cause them to separate from their herd. Stay away from lone calves and never run straight towards a cow. Avoid sudden movements and high-pitched loud noises. Although gentle singing and talking will let cows know you are there. Follow other participants and create a predictable route, be aware that dogs can startle livestock so keep a look out for other walkers who may be in your vicinity.  

1. For all incidents contact the Race Director or Medical Team

2.Failing this, in the event of a true emergency or serious incident call 999....then inform the Race Director or Medical Team 

Emergency contact numbers and information for use during the event only are printed on the reverse of your bib number.​ 

NOTE: Text or call back if you do not get through. 

DO NOT leave voicemails. The Rat Race phoneline is only active during this event.