Canicross Aberdeenshire is delighted to be hosting our races in the beautiful surroundings of Fetternear Estate again for 2025. We are also very excited to be adding Bikejor to the event this year.

Scenic races through the forest trails around Fetternear Estate.

Based at Netherton Business Centre, Kemnay, Inverurie, AB51 5LX (What3Words Squabbles.Animals.Takes)

Canicross and Bikejor course is approx 5km.    

Short course (canicross only) is approx 3km

YOU CAN ENTER BOTH CANICROSS COURSES OR BIKEJOR AND SHORT COURSE WITH THE SAME DOG     

Race Day Schedule:

0700 - 0900 Race Registration for all races (please register for bikejor by 0830)

0730   Marshalls Briefing

0900   Bikejor Start

1030   5km Race Start

1200   Fun Run Start (3km)

1400  *Results and Prizegiving

*Results will be announced and prizes awarded as soon as possible after the final runner crosses the finish line. 

Entry fee for the Bikejor is £18

Entry fee for the 5km race is £18

Entry fee for 3km Fun Run is £12

Camping is £10

Donations for parking will be accepted in a box.

RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE FILLING IN THE ENTRY FORM

DOGS – All participating dogs must be at least 18 months old on the day of the run. In season, pregnant or lactating bitches are not permitted to run. Bitches in season should be kept well away from the start / finish area and not taken on or near the course if brought to the event.

Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times during the race and at the event. If a muzzle is required, it should be of the wire greyhound racing style or large basket style. 

Dogs must not be brought to the event if they are coughing or have recently been in contact with an infectious disease. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure their dog is fit and healthy before racing. If in doubt, consult your vet.

There will be no shared drinking bowls at the event. Please remember to bring water bowls for your own dogs - there will be water available to fill them.

EQUIPMENT CANICROSS - In the interests of dog welfare and competitor safety, both dog and human must run in suitable canicross equipment. This means harnesses for dogs must be suitable for canicross i.e. allows for free movement and does not restrict breathing when dog is pulling. Dogs may wear non-restrictive collars but must also wear a pulling harness. The line must include a bungee section and be attached to a belt worn by the human. It is not acceptable to run holding a lead. The organisers reserve the right to have the final decision on the suitability of equipment. Runners with unsuitable equipment will not be permitted to run.

EQUIPMENT BIKEJOR – 1 dog only. In the interest of dog welfare and competitor safety your bike must be mechanically sound with a working brake on each wheel. The rider must be wearing a suitable helmet. Your dog should be wearing a suitable harness as described above and be attached to your bike via a bungee line that is no less than 2m and a maximum of 3m in length in the expanded condition when measured from the rear of the dog to the front axle of the bike. You will not be permitted to race holding the dog's lead or with the lead attached to the handlebars.

BORROWED DOGS

It is presumed that you are running with your own dog. If you must borrow a dog to race with;

• you should be familiar with each other and have trained together prior to the race,
• you should be aware of the dog’s anticipated behaviour in a race environment and be responsible for its care throughout the event. 

You will not be permitted to race with a borrowed dog that you have only just met.

CAR PARKING

Parking for all race attendees will be clearly marked. Please feel free to make a donation for parking as the Pony Club are kindly letting us use their field.

BRIEFING

A race pack with course details and instructions will be emailed to all pre-entrants and provided verbally at the safety briefing which this year will be online via our Facebook and Instagram pages prior to race day. (A time and date for this will be announced nearer the time)

SEEDED  STARTS

Race starts are staggered and seeded for safety and to minimise overtaking. Please put your current 5k personal best time on the entry form (if you don’t know your PB, please estimate). The organisers may alter your start position based on historic results if they feel your position in the start list would mean multiple overtakes are likely.

START

Canicrossers will start individually at 15-second intervals in seeded order. Bikejor will start individually at 1-minute intervals in seeded order.

COURSES

The courses are approximately 5km and 3km, and are on mainly natural walking paths around the estate and through the forest, with plenty of twists, turns and undulations to keep you and your dog entertained.  There is one short section of downhill on the long course where you should proceed with caution. There is a sharp right turn at the bottom of this section which will be marked with orange fencing. Just before the end of both courses there is a short section of tarmac. Marshals will be on hand to direct you and course signage will be clearly displayed.

FINISH

Drinking water will be available for dogs at the finish area, please bring a bowl for your dog. This is to avoid shared bowls to help reduce the risk of spreading diseases like kennel cough. Please also bring your own drinks cup or bottle to minimise our environmental impact.

RESULTS

We will announce the results as soon as possible after the end of racing. Race results will be available on racesplitter. 

PRIZE GIVING

Prize giving will be at the same time as the results are announced. There will be awards for 1st-3rd place in most classes. Classes may be amalgamated depending on numbers.

CHILDREN

Junior runners aged 7-16 years old on the day of the run are permitted to race, however, those aged 10 and under on the day of the run must be attached to an adult at all times on the course.

T-SHIRTS

We are excited this year to offer an event T-shirt as part of your entry fee. To ensure you get the right size, we advise entering before the 25th of September. There is a section on the entry form to request your size. Entries made after 25th September will still receive a t-shirt, but we cannot guarantee the correct size. T-shirts will be available for collection on the day at registration. T-Shirt Size Guide

INSURANCE

The race will be covered by event/public liability insurance however, it is recommended that you hold personal liability insurance for dog sports if racing. All racers and spectators attend the event and run/cycle at their own risk.

CHANGES TO ENTRIES

Changes to entry details must be made by email only to canicrossaberdeenshire@gmail.com

Substituting dogs is allowed and can also be made on the day, but we ask that you notify us at registration and advise if your estimated time needs to be amended.

There is a 50% refund available if you withdraw from the event, and your entry can be filled from the waiting list. If you must withdraw but are able to marshal instead, your entry can be transferred to a future race at no additional cost.

No changes to runners permitted after the closing date - Please remember that this event is organised by volunteers and we appreciate your understanding. For safety reasons, if you allow someone to race in your place on the day, both you and the runner will be disqualified from this event.

CANCELLATION

Should the whole event be cancelled or postponed for reasons beyond the organisers’ control or in the event of bad weather, making the course too dangerous to run on, we shall post news of the cancellation on Canicross Aberdeenshire’s Facebook page, Instagram and email entrants. We will look to reschedule the event for a later date and transfer the entries. If the event cannot be rescheduled, the organisers reserve the right to take expenses already incurred from entry fees before using any remaining monies to refund entrants. Refunds will need to be requested by emailing canicrossaberdeenshire@gmail.com (you will still receive your event T shirt).

BIKEJOR ONLY CANCELLATION

We have agreed with the estate that bikejor will be cancelled if it is decided that it will cause too much damage to the trails if there is particularly wet weather in the lead up to the day. In the event of this happening there will be a full refund for your bikejor entry only if we give 36 hrs notice, 70% refund with 24 hrs notice and 50% refund if less than 24 hrs notice.

NB: It is the entrant’s responsibility to check the race is still on before travelling. The organisers will post on Facebook and email all entrants if there are any last-minute changes - please check your email before travelling.

FACILITIES

Please respect the facilities and venue. Clean up after your dog in all event areas and on the course. There will be two mobile toilets available. These are not to be used for anything other than what they are designed for.

CAMPING

Please support onsite camping as it helps cover the cost of toilets etc for the event. There are not many options for camping nearby. Camping is available in the field just down from the business centre and not far from the start/finish line. It will be £10 per vehicle. Canicross Aberdeenshire club members camp for free. There will be two mobile toilets on site along with black bags for rubbish. Please clean up after yourself and your dog/s, littering of any form will lead to disqualification from the event. We also ask that you do not light campfires or disposable barbecues. Please keep your dog/s secured/tethered at all times.

SAFETY

Please watch the race briefing and listen to marshal’s instructions. Human and Canine first aiders are on duty at all events wearing high viz vests, please ask if you or your dog require help. If for any reason you fail to finish but clear the course, please report to the race finish, so that we don't send out a search party!

FOOD

There will be provision for hot and cold food and drinks on the day. Including vegetarian and vegan options.

EMERGENCY VETS: TBC. Please consult the Race Pack for details.

Organisers:
Canicross Aberdeenshire

Email-canicrossaberdeenshire@gmail.com

Race Director:  Abi Lyall