Glen Scotia Mull of Kintyre Marathon 26.2

Saturday 2^nd September 2023 Start Time:  9am

After the success of the Glen Scotia Mull of Kintyre Marathon and the end of covid restrictions, the marathon will return by popular demand on Saturday 2^nd September 2023.  You can enter as an individual £38 or team of 2 £34pp.

Click here for detailed route map - TO BE SLIGHTLY UPDATED FOR 2023 (no changes to route).

Only teams of 2 this year.  Runners should try to arrange their own transport for teams of 2.  If you cannot do this please let the organiser know and they can help arrange.

Registration

Chipped numbers will be sent out in the post this year so there will be no need to register on the day.  A help-desk will be open from 8am at Campbeltown Ferry Terminal, New Quay, Campbeltown, Argyll, PA28 6ED. 

There will be a bag drop facility. Toilets will be available. Water and refreshments will be available to runners.

RUNNERS MUST MEET OUTSIDE THE FERRY TERMINAL FOR 8.50AM FOR THE SAFETY BRIEFING. RUNNERS WILL THEN BE ESCORTED TO THE START LINE.

Timing

You will be provided with a race number and a timing chip via poast. The race is run under Scottish Athletics rules and will be ‘gun to chip’ timing.

No split times will be recorded.

Route

The Start/Finish area will be at the Campbeltown Ferry Terminal. Runners will be escorted for safety to the official start line at the beginning of the old railway cutting. Runners must run on the pavement at all times it is present or they will be disqualified.

The route goes through railway cutting, along Limecraigs and Meadows Avenue, turning right down Tomaig road. Then it turns left towards Stewarton, remaining on the pavement until the cross over at Stewarton turning left for Southend. Following the B842 on the right hand side of the road until approximately mile 10 at the Southend War Memorial, runners will turn right to go around the single track road loop, following past Dunaverty beach (toilet available) through Southend Village (running on pavement), turning right just after Low Machrimore Farm (half way point and relay swap) towards the Learside. Following the lower learside road towards Campbeltown, finishing along Kilkerran Road, adjacent to the Quarry Green at the Ferry Terminal.

§  Start running up through the old railway cutting

§  Continue forwards, across the road onto the pavement on to Limecraigs for approx. 0.3 miles

§  Cross the junction at Lower Kintyre Park over to Meadows Avenue, running straight for 0.3 miles

§  Turning right at the end of Meadows Avenue on to Tomaig Road.

§  At the end of Tomaig Road, turn left on to Witchburn Road, crossing the road to the pavement (1 mile) Continue forward on the B842

§  Follow pavement forwards following B842 to Stewarton Village

§  At Stewarton, cross the road via grass area and over to right hand side of B842 towards Southend

§  Follow B842 for another 6.5 miles (approximately 9.5 miles in total) until Southend War Memorial

§  Turn right on to the single track road around Cnoc Mor, follow this loop until it returns through Southend

§  Dunaverty Village Hall is the changeover for the relays – parking, toilet facilities and fuel station here.  It is slightly under halfway at around 12.8 miles.

§  Southend Primary School on the main B842 road is on the left hand side, half way through the course at mile 13.1

§  Turn right on to the Learside and follow the road straight through Mill Park, passed Macharioch staying on the right hand side of the road taking to 16 miles in total

§  Turn right at the next junction (sign to Campbeltown) towards Polliwilne Farm. Follow the road (not the KW markers) to stay on the road on the right hand side. The road bends towards the left after Polliwilne Farm ascending to a steep hill for approximately 1.5 miles

§  Continue following the single track road on the right hand side for another 2 miles until you pass Glenbrekerie and come to Feochaig

§  Continue following the undulating road for another 2 miles until it descends to Kildalloig

§  Follow the road as it turns to Kilkerran Road, bending round to the left – staying on the right hand side for another 3.5 miles to the finish line along the promenade adjacent to Quarry Green (at Jock’s boat playpark, just before the Ferry Terminal)

Campbeltown Fire Service and the Coastguard will be providing Emergency Services on the day. There will be a First Aid station within the Ferry Terminal and they will be patrolling the route.

Fuel Stops

There will be 8 fuel stops throughout the course. They are labelled with a on the map above.

At each station there will be a variety to choose from to keep you rehydrated and fuelled, however, we advise all runners to take on adequate fuel on their person where possible. All stations will be on the right hand side (runners side) for safety.

On offer will be –

§  Water

§  Energy drinks

§  Bananas

§  ¼ oranges

§  High5 gels (not on all – please bring your own)

The finish line area at the Ferry Terminal will also provide refreshments from Argyll Bakery soup, rolls, teas and coffees as well as some delicious treats. Water and energy drinks will also be provided.

All stations will be on the RIGHT HAND SIDE where runners will be running for safety, facing oncoming traffic.

Stations at approximate mileage -

1.    3.5 miles across from Killoenan Cottages at the Chiskan Farm turn off

2.    6.2 miles at Ballybrennan Farm road end

3.    10 miles at Druma Voilin

4.    12.8 miles at Dunaverty Village Hall

5.    16.5 miles at Polliwilne Farm road end

6.    19.5 miles at Feochaig

7.    23 miles at (learside)

8.    25 miles at the NATO jetty

Goody bags with t-shirts and medals will be issued to all finishers.

RELAY TEAMS

No transport will be provided for relays (only teams of 2 allowed).  If you require transport please let organiser know to help you arrange.

Changeover relay swap points are noted in the map above where you see the symbol

Leg 1 Campbeltown to Dunaverty Village hall 12.8 miles approx

Campbeltown to Ballybrennan Road End (approximately 6.3 miles, mostly flat with 1 tough climb at Oatfield and a 0.5 mile descent to Pennygown). There is 1 fuel stop just before the Oatfield hill at Knocknaha.  There is a fuel station here.

Then on to

Ballybrennan Road End to Dunaverty Village Hall (approximately 6.5 miles, mostly flat). There is 1 fuel stop on this section –  at mile 10 at Druma Voilin. Another fuel station at Dunaverty Village Hall.  This is where relay runnes will changeover runner.  Note that the first leg is slightly longer than the second.  1st runners if they would like to complete the entire 13.1 are welcome to join their team-mate for 0.3 miles before they turn right towards learside.

Relay runners will be issued with medals and goody bags on return to the finish line – come and cheer your partner on!

Leg 2 Southend to Campbeltown 13.4

Dunaverty to Feochaig tbc (approximately 6.7 miles, very hilly). This is a challenging route that follows the learside with 1 fuel stop. This is a single track road and you must run on the right hand side – please take care. You will need to stop running and go on to the verge if a large vehicle approaches.

Feochaig to Campbeltown Ferry Terminal – the finish line! (approximately 6.7 miles, hilly with a lot of descent also). Continue the following the single track road back to Campbeltown following the Kintyre Way markers. There is a further 2 fuel stops on this section.

SPECTATORS AND SUPPORTERS

We would love for spectators and supporters to cheer the runners on! However, please bear in mind the route is on open public roads and for health and safety we want to minimise vehicles on the route. Family and friends are welcome to cheer on from the Quarry Green at the start/finish area. Other areas include Meadows Avenue and Southend Village but please advise NO vehicles on the route particularly on the single track sections.

TOILETS

There are toilets at the start/finish line at the Ferry Terminal and Public Toilets. Runners can also use the public toilets at Dunaverty Beach and Southend Village Hall.

SHOWERS

FREE shower facilities will be available to all participants at the nearby Aqualibrium Leisure Centre (less than ¼ mile for weary legs!) Please bring along your race number to show at reception.

PRIZEGIVING

Prizegiving will take place at approximately 2pm at the Campbeltown Ferry Terminal.

Trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female winners. Prizes are sponsored by Glen Scotia and will include:

Male 1st, 2nd, 3rd Female 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

Vet 40+ 1st Vet 40+1st

SVet 50+ 1st SVet 50+1st

Vint 60+ 1st Vint 60+1st

1st Team of 2

SAFETY

Safety of the runners is paramount. The roads are all open public roads and we advise all runners, pedestrians and road users to take extra care between 9am and 2.30pm on race day. There will be a mandatory race briefing at approximately 8.50am at the Ferry Terminal.

The only earphones allowed for use with MP3 players are strictly Aftershokz, which are endorsed by Scottish Athletics. Anyone using any ear bud\head phones will be disqualified. Participants should be aware that this is a challenging course and have put in the adequate training to complete the course. Cut off time for the whole course is strictly 6 hours 30. If you think you will be near this time please advise the Race Director in advance.

The route will be well marked and marshalled, however, it is the runner’s responsibility to know the route of the course and be prepared for the hilly, challenging terrain of the marathon.

Runners must comply with all organisers’ instructions or will be immediately disqualified. Runners must follow all marshal instructions. Runners must use pavements at every possibility and thereafter use the right hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic. If a large vehicle approaches on the road you will need to stop running and step on to the verge, you do not have right away.

Please be extra vigilant as you take part in the race and we wish you good luck!

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We would like to thank all our marshals and volunteers to help make this work and keep runners safe. In particular, thanks to our sponsors Glen Scotia.

• I declare that I am an amateur as stated in UKA/SAF rules and will abide by those rules. I hereby agree that the organisers or associates shall not be liable for any accident, injury, loss or damage as a consequence of my participation in the Race. 

* We do not operate a reserve list or allow swaps if you are unable to participate. Swapping of race numbers or running in someone else's race number is strictly forbidden and against race rules which is supported by Scottish Athletics. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.