Welcome to the sign up page for the 2024 Dunoon Presents Dunoon Ultra Marathon and Relay!

Here is some key information to note:

• The race will start at 0900 on the 14th of September from Benmore Gardens

• The route is 55km / 33miles long with ~1200m / ~3940ft of elevation

• There is a checkpoint at Glenbranter which is just before the halfway point where you can collect your drop bags

• The cutoff time is 6hrs 30mins to get back to Benmore Gardens after completing the Loch Eck Loop (~37km / ~23miles)

• Solo entries cost £50

• Relay entries cost £60 per team

  • Can the person who has signed up email details of the other team members to info@pa23.org.uk

• These fees include

  • Free coach transfer from Dunoon Pier to Benmore Gardens if required which can be selected when signing up

  • Changing facilities post race

  • Full event support including chip timing, bag drop, and a goodie bag

  • Free branded neck warmer for all runners

• Runners competing in the individual ultra must be aged 20yrs or over on the day of the race 
• Runners competing in the relay race must be aged 18yrs or over on the day of the race

Race Description

Starting off at Benmore Gardens, played on your way by the sound of bagpipes, you will run up through the mystical Pucks Glen before starting a loop of Loch Eck. With an aid station at Glenbranter at the head of the loch it is the perfect place to collect your drop bags and refuel just before the halfway point. It is then a fairly flat run along the west side of Loch Eck, hugging the shore the whole way, back to Benmore Gardens. From here you will run along the fittingly named ‘Puddle Lane’ and follow a short road section (just under 3km) before rejoining the trails at Ballochyle. These trails will take you to a road crossing where you will enter  the east side of Glenkin, continuing along the trail towards Dunoon. As you run along the trail linking Glenkin and Bishop’s Glen you can admire the beautiful Holy Loch and have a bird’s eye view of both Sandbank and Dunoon. As you descend into Bishop’s Glen you are on the final stretch, with no more hills to contend with you can give it one last push to the finish, running through the glen and down Kilbride Road, joining the Victoria Parade promenade at West Bay swing park. From here you can enjoy the final mile along a pancake flat section of tarmac, hearing the waves crash against the rocks to your right before you run down our beautiful Dunoon Pier and over the finish line to the ovation of many spectators congratulating you on completing your ultra marathon!

Relay Sections 

• Section 1

  • Runners completing section 1 of the relay will start with everyone else from Benmore Gardens and will complete the east side of the Loch Eck Loop, finishing just before the Lauder Monument

  • This section is ~22km / ~12miles long with ~700m / 2300ft of elevation. 

  • Route can be found here: https://www.strava.com/activities/7894378159/overview 

• Section 2

  • Runners running the second leg of the relay will take over from the first team member just before the Lauder Monument and run along the west side of Loch Eck back to Benmore Gardens

  • This section is ~16km / ~10miles long with ~275m / 900ft of elevation

  • Route can be found here: https://www.strava.com/activities/738088355/overview

• Section 3

• • Runners running the final section of the race will start from the starting point at Benmore and run through Glen Massan, up the east side of Glenkin and then down through Bishops Glen before crossing the finishing line at Dunoon Pier

  • This section is ~16.5km / ~10miles long with ~200m / ~650ft of elevation

  • Route can be found here: https://www.strava.com/segments/16222351 

Race numbers will be issued at registration on:

• Friday 13th September 1730 to 1900 at Dunoon Pier 

  • No bag drop available

• Saturday 14th September 0715 to 0845 at Benmore Gardens 

  • Bag drop available

After the race, why not go out and explore our beautiful town? There are many cafes where you can go and have some lunch and many places to take in our beautiful scenery. If you want some more guidance of things to do see the links below:

https://www.dunoonpresents.co.uk/things-to-do/

https://www.dunoonpresents.co.uk/food-drink/

Accommodation ideas are listed here: https://www.dunoonpresents.co.uk/accommodation/