Scotland's autumn trail running season is building towards one of its standout weekends as the Aberfoyle Festival of Trail Running returns on Saturday 10 October. Organised by Outsider Events, the festival combines the popular Aberfoyle Trail Half Marathon with the Aberfoyle Ultra, creating a day of adventure in the heart of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

Now entering its third edition, the festival continues to grow while maintaining a deliberately limited field. Organisers have capped the Trail Half Marathon at 500 runners after last year's race sold out two months before the event, while the spectacular 63K Ultra is limited to just 200 participants.

Both races start from Cobleland Campsite before heading into the forests, hills and lochside trails that have helped establish Aberfoyle as one of Scotland's premier outdoor destinations. The routes combine forest tracks, flowing singletrack and short sections of tarmac, rewarding runners with panoramic views towards Ben Lomond and the surrounding Trossachs landscape as the forests begin their annual transformation into autumn colours.

The Trail Half Marathon packs 350 metres of ascent into its 21.4K route, offering an enjoyable balance of challenge and runnable terrain. For experienced ultra runners, the 63K Ultra provides a longer test of endurance across some of the area's finest trails, making it an attractive late season objective.

With event numbers intentionally restricted to preserve the quality of the experience and previous editions proving highly popular, runners considering either distance are encouraged to secure their place well before entries close. For anyone looking to experience Scottish trail running at its autumn best, the Aberfoyle Festival of Trail Running promises another memorable weekend in one of the country's most spectacular landscapes.

Entries are available via the runABC race hub here.

Image courtesy Outsider Events.