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Ultra Tour of Arran

A 2-day island ultramarathon

Discover one of the UK’s most spectacular island ultramarathons on the beautiful Isle of Arran in Scotland. The Ultra Tour of Arran is a world-class 2-day trail running and ultramarathon adventure featuring 60 miles of rugged coastal trails, dramatic mountains, deep glens and enchanting forests, including the iconic summit of Goatfell. Often described as “Scotland in miniature”, Arran delivers the ultimate ultra running challenge combined with breathtaking scenery, rich Scottish culture and unforgettable island hospitality. 

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2027 MINI EVENT GUIDEEnter

Dates

10th to 11th April 2027

Duration

2 days

Distance

60 miles (97km)

Discipline

Event Discipline - Run/Trek

Event Type

Mass Participation Events

Highlights

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Summit Goatfell the highest mountain on the island

With 360 views across the surrounding Scottish islands and mainland, it makes the tough climb to the top well worth it!

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Conquer the mighty Bog of Doom!

An icon of this event is the legendary Bog of Doom! Buried deep in the enchanting forests of Arran, the bog throws in a whole new type of terrain for you to tackle!

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Experience every type of terrain in one event

From coastal paths and boardwalks, to forests, mountain passes and trails through the glens, this island has every terrain on offer!

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Be welcomed by the local people of Arran

The Ultra Tour of Arran has become a firm favourite with the locals too! (and we're not just talking about the seals!) You'll find many people coming out to cheer you on along the route, creating a fantastic event atmosphere.

Itinerary

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Friday: Registration Day

The adventure begins! You will need to attend Tracker Collection on Friday 9th April between 1500 - 2100 at the Event Village. This is based at Ormidale Park, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8BY.

You must pick up your tracker between these times, there is no option to do so on the morning of the event.  You MUST bring your running backpack to Tracker Collection so your tracker can be taped on when allocated.

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Saturday: Event day 1

The event starts in the same location each day beside the beach at Fisherman’s Walk (next to Coop) in Brodick.  Please find a google pin to the start location HERE. ​This is a 1 minute walk from the Event Village and will be signed.

Day 1 begins at 8.30am and heads south to explore the fabulously rugged coastline and rolling, forested hills. Don’t be fooled that it is easy, as 28 miles and 3500ft of ascent will definitely test your legs.

There are 3 pitstops on day 1 at: 

  • 9.5 miles

  • 14.5 miles

  • 23 miles

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Sunday: Event Day 2

Day 2 starts at 7am and heads north, exploring the high mountain massif which dominates the skyline. At 30 miles and nearly 6000ft of ascent this is one tough day, made harder by already tired legs.

There are 2 pitstops on day 2 at:

  • 11.5 miles

  • 20 miles

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James

Your Adventure Leader

James

Our multi-lingual running machine, James brings extensive sports event experience, having delivered events of all shapes and sizes across the industry. A UK Athletics qualified running coach, he combines expert endurance expertise with a sharp eye for route design, logistics and participant experience. James has a knack for crafting running routes you’ll genuinely love, always seeking out the very best trails, roads and hidden gems in every destination to create unforgettable adventure experiences.

What's Included

Follow the orange arrows

Fully Waymarked

The Ultra Tour of Arran is fully waymarked, making it accessible and beginner friendly. You will simply follow our bright orange arrows and blue flags through the mountains which span our entire 60 mile course. These are backed up by paid staff at key locations to ensure you don't miss a turn! There is no need to follow a gpx file or know how to read a map. 

We are here to get you to the finish

Fully Supported

This event is fully supported, which means you don't need to bring a support crew with you (although they are more than welcome!). There are 3 Pit Stops on day 1 and 2 Pit Stop on day 2 to help keep you fuelled. We have a full sweeper service on this event, so if you need to drop out we will move you forward to the finish in our sweeper bus. 

Event medics

Medical Support

We do not use volunteer medical services on any of our events. Rat Race are supported by Trail Med, an established and professional event medic delivery service. On the ground, you’ll be supported by a highly qualified UK medical team of paramedics and doctors, they are self contained in vehicles and a private ambulance and they are all carefully selected for their experience in delivering care in mass participation live events.

Rat Race are independently audited to ensure the highest standards of safety, risk management and participant care. In short, every aspect of our medical and safety planning is designed with your wellbeing firmly at its heart.

Your finisher medal

Mementos

An epic finishers medal is waiting for you when you cross the line and you will pick up your Ultra Tour of Arran Rat Rag at Registration. You can add a t-shirt to your entry and these are collected at Registration.

If you can't make it

Flexible Transfer Policy

Entries may be transferred up to 1 month before Registration in accordance with the Rat Race transfer policy. Participants also have the option to add Refund Protect to their booking, facilitated by a trusted third-party provider, which may allow you to claim a refund should you be unable to attend for a range of qualifying reasons.

If you're looking for an amazing event experience, check out Rat Race events. I completed the Ultra Tour of Arran 2024, and it was the best organised event I've attended.

The UTA was a bucket list adventure. I was so scared about going alone, but I saw a place I never would have seen, accomplished something I never would have ever been able to do on my own, and made so many new friends. Don't get me wrong, it was tough, really tough, but it's something I will always talk about and remember! Loved this event so much.

What an epic weekend. If you want a challenging race with lots of technical terrain, dramatic mountains, stunning coasts, this one is for you.

Arran is such a special place you need to add it to the bucket list. Can’t fault the Rat Race team, the atmosphere was fantastic and the staff were so supportive.
Everything ran smoothly and was well communicated. I’d give extra points for the snacks at check points!

Helen

Just back from Ultra Tour of Arran! What a stunning place, perfect for this event, which was by no means easy, a real tough challenge! Bogs, beautiful scenery, hills and mountains to climb, with some technical terrain, but as always Rat Race are there to help you achieve the very best you can and will do what they can to help you achieve it... we had a blast! My other half's first RR event, he picked a toughie, but he had a blast!!

Suzanne

What a fantastic experience. My first Ultra marathon, and all the staff and volunteers were brilliantly supportive, making sure I had the best experience I could!

The scenery was stunning, the course was challenging, and I learned new things about what I was capable of!

Alan Stewart

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Raise £750 and get up to £375 of your entry fee refunded

Find out more

UTA adventure gallery

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FAQs

What kit do I need?

Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing the ultramarathon. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for that assistance. Spot checks are carried out throughout the event and you will not be able to continue if you are found not to be carrying the requisite items.

MANDATORY KIT

  • Small Rucksack, Bum Bag or Ultra-Running Pocket Vest or other appropriate method of carrying your kit. BUY HERE

  • Runner number: in your adventure pack

  • Satellite Tracker: given to you at tracker collection. This should be put in the lid/outer pocket of your rucksack. Remember this must be returned at the end of the event.

  • Trail Running Shoes: i.e. running shoes with some grip

  • Hydration Bladder or Bottle(s) with a minimum of 2 litre capacity. BUY HERE

  • Food – Min 400kcal (about 4 gels): Always plan to have excess. This is a MINIMUM and our meaning here is that you have this fuel on you as a minimum AT ALL TIMES. I.e. You always have 4 gels (or equivalent) as Emergency Supplies. Please take enough food to be out in the hills, possibly in poor conditions, for up to 8 hours. Ensure you have enough salt and calories in your food. 

  • Waterproof Jacket with TAPED or WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard. BUY HERE

  • Waterproof Trousers with TAPED or WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard. BUY HERE (see photograph)

  • Hat suitable to the conditions (a Rat Rag is OK). BUY HERE

  • Gloves (lightweight running gloves are OK). BUY HERE

  • Bivvi Bag (NOT a blanket): Essential for unplanned stops. BUY ONE HERE

  • Basic First Aid Kit  containing at least:
    – A conformable roller bandage.
    – Assorted adhesive dressings.
    – Separate sterile absorbent material
    (e.g. gauze or gauze bandage) suitable for compressing bleeding wounds

  • Whistle: Effective for getting attention in an emergency. BUY ONE HERE

  • Fully charged Mobile Phone with protection from water

  • Full leg cover: Running tights are a good lightweight option – it’s the unplanned stops that you might need them for. This is additional to the waterproof Trousers

  • Additional upper body thermal layer: an insulated jacket, baselayer or fleece are all good options – again for the unplanned stops. This is additional to the waterproof Jacket.

  • GPS Tracker (supplied)

  • Hand Sanitiser

  • Reusable cup suitable for hot drinks. BUY ONE HERE

RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL KIT:

  • A quality roll top type rucksack/bag liner is good for keeping your kit dry. BUY ONE HERE

  • Technical Tee and/or a quality base layer.

  • In foul weather, taking additional gloves, socks and a hat can be a help.

  • Sun screen and sun glasses.

  • Blister treatment kit.

  • Some form of identification.

Is the route likely to change?

The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the uncertainty becomes certain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of a number of reasons, we cannot do so, and we need to wheel put Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons, and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you as soon as possible (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end!

Are there cut offs?

The event takes place over 2 days, with 2 distinct day stages. Day 1 starts at 8:30, and you have until 20:30 to cross the finish line. Day 2 starts at 7:00, and you have until 19:30 to cross the finishline. 

Cut-off times are synonymous with events of this type and are essential for the safety management and risk assessment plans. Cut- off times are applied to your departure time from the cut off location.  Therefore, in your planning you should aim to arrive at a Pit Stop at least 15 mins before the cut-off time in order to allow you to access the facilities and leave the Pit Stop before the cut- off time.

There are 3 cut off locations each day. On day 1 each Pit Stop has a cut-off time associated to it. On day 2, the 2 Pit Stops have a cut-off but there is a third mountain cut-off at The Saddle. If you miss this final cut-off, you will not be allowed to tackle the final ascent of North Goat Fell and Goat Fell and instead be directed to descend down Glen Rosa and return to the finish in the Event Village. This route will of course be fully waymarked for you.

DAY ONE CUT-OFF TIMES & LOCATIONS

  • Whiting Bay (Pit Stop 1)  - 12:00

  • Kildonan (Pit Stop 2) - 13:30

  • Monamore FCS (Pit Stop 3) - 17:30

  • Brodick (Finish) - 20:30

DAY TWO CUT-OFF TIMES & LOCATIONS

  • Lochranza (Pit Stop 1) - 11:30

  • N Glen Sannox (Pit Stop 2) - 14:30

  • The Saddle - 16:10

  • Brodick (Finish) - 19:00​

How old do I need to be?

Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.

Can I transfer my entry?

If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice. Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed. Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit vouchers are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE 

Can I volunteer?

You can view our current volunteer positions for the Ultra Tour of Arran here. 

Can I fundraise for charity?

You are very welcome to fundraise for any charity close to your heart while taking part in the event. Please note, however, that our Charity Refund Offer applies exclusively to participants fundraising for Children with Cancer UK.

How do I enter?

Click 'Enter' and sign into your Rat Race account and follow the sign up procedure. If you need any assistance please drop the customer service team an email on events@ratrace.com

What is Refund Protect?

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.

To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry. 

Can I see the route?

You can view the GPX route online. Please note this is subject to last minute changed so always follow the waymarking on the day. 

View route and GPX file for day 1

View route and GPX file for day 2

What is at the Pit Stops?

The Pit Stops are the points where you can grab a snack, interact with the Rat Race team and also your own supporters if you have them. Our Pit Stops have a few staples that you'll see at all stations and also some which are bespoke to that Pit Stop location.​Standard provisions include:

  • Water

  • Juice

  • Sweet snacks

  • Salty snacks

  • Fruit

  • Toilets

  • Medical team

Our Pit Stops are well stocked but they do not contain any sports nutrition products as we know you will have your own that you have trained with. The last thing you want to do in an ultra is try an untested gel and suffer the consequences! You should plan to bring your own supplements and be self contained when it comes to gels/electrolyte tablets.​

What is the best way to get there?

GETTING TO THE ISLE OF ARRAN ​

To reach the Isle of Arran, you can take a ferry from Troon to Brodick (80 mins crossing time) or Ardrossan to Brodick (55 minutes crossing time) 

​This means there are 2 key locations for this event:

​1) SCOTTISH MAINLAND, ACCESS TO THE ISLE OF ARRAN FERRY CROSSINGS TO BRODICK

Either:

A. The Ferry Terminal, Ardrossan, KA22 8BZ,  OR

B. The Ferry Terminal, Troon, KA10 6HH 

​

2) REGISTRATION AND EVENT VILLAGE

Ormidale Park, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8BY

When planning your travel, make sure you’re looking at the correct timetable; these vary seasonally. The Summer timetable will be in operation over April, this is usually released late in the previous year. Tickets can  be booked via the Calmac website HERE once they go live.

We strongly recommend booking your ferry early, these can get busy and last minute availability is not a given. It is also our firm recommendation to avoid booking the last ferry of the day if you can to give yourself flexibility on any weather related cancellations etc.

FERRY BOOKINGS

​​OPTION 1: OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO LEAVE YOUR CAR AT TROON OR ARDROSSAN AND BE A FOOT PASSENGER ON THE FERRY.

Car parking is available at both ferry terminals. Car parking charges apply. Please make sure to follow all guidance and be aware of restrictions which are displayed on signage.  You can find further parking details under the Facilities section under each port on the Calmac website HERE.

The foot passenger return fare is much cheaper and can be booked on the Calmac website here. On arrival in Brodick, we will have a free on demand shuttle service operating for you and your luggage. Head for the Rat Race bus stop at the port and our free on demand shuttle it will take you to the Ultra Tour of Arran Event Village.

Alternatively, it is an easy, flat 1km walk, passing many shops, cafes and amenities.

​​

OPTION 2: BRING YOUR CAR ONTO ARRAN

This is fine and the return fare is reasonable: £42.40 return for a standard car and £10.60 per person return for each passenger inside (2026 prices). When you get to the island, there is ample free parking in Brodick

 

How hard is this event?

The Ultra Tour of Arran is an achievable step up from a marathon into ultra running territory. However they do not call Arran ‘Scotland in miniature’ for nothing. Flat it is not. Elements of this ultra running event constitute serious mountain running (and there might even be snow on the ground in some locations), but is definitely achievable for the majority that have prepared well and put in the training miles. It is well-supported and fully way-marked. However, the mountain nature of elements of Day 2 will mean that you will need to have a heightened observance to the way-marking. At all other times, this way-marked route should be easy to follow.

Can I just do one day?

Yes, if you wish to run just Day 1, you can, there is no option to run just Day 2. You will still need to enter UTA as a two-day ultra runner and then not start the second day. Please note that the price is the same, and there will be no medal for those who just run the first day. 

Is this a trail running event?

Yes, BUT there are other surfaces. This is a mixed-terrain ultra running event. Day 1 is characterised by quiet paths, forest trails, some boardwalk sections, some tarmac while passing villages, and a lot of forest dirt road sections. Day 2 is virtually all off-road, and there are some serious mountain sections where the going is decidedly rough underfoot.

We recommend a comfortable shoe with a reasonable grip. All ultra running events involve mixed terrain, so whichever shoe you choose will always be a compromise. However, this is not an ultra running event for road shoes. We recommend trail running shoes, whether you are attempting day 1 only or the 2-day event.

 

Pricing

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​* Once you sign up, Rat Race will set up a recurring monthly payment via Stripe. If a payment fails, you’ll receive reminders from Stripe and our team. After three failed contact attempts and no payment, your entry will be cancelled with no refund or transfer eligibility.

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