A new addition to Scotland's endurance calendar is set to arrive in Royal Deeside next summer as the inaugural Explorr Gravel Running Festival takes place in Banchory from 28 to 30 August 2026.

Positioned on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, the three day event will bring together gravel running, gravel cycling and outdoor culture in a festival setting designed to celebrate adventure sport and the landscapes of north east Scotland.

For runners, Explorr will offer four distances, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon, with routes using forest tracks and rolling gravel paths around Royal Deeside. The running programme builds on the area's reputation for scenic off road running, with participants expected to experience woodland trails, open countryside and the natural surroundings that make the region a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

The event will incorporate the long established Run Banchory event, allowing a familiar local favourite to continue while becoming part of a larger festival weekend. Organisers hope the expanded format will attract runners from across Scotland and beyond while maintaining the welcoming community atmosphere associated with the event.

Away from the races, the Festival Village at King George V Park will host live music, athlete talks, films, food and drink, an outdoor expo and community activities throughout the weekend. A Charity Night Hike is also planned, raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK, Breast Cancer UK and Banchory Outdoor and Active.

With gravel running continuing to grow in popularity, Explorr aims to offer something different from a traditional race weekend. The combination of off road racing, festival atmosphere and the backdrop of Royal Deeside could make it one of Scotland's most distinctive endurance events in 2026.

Set among pine forests, riverside scenery and the foothills of the Cairngorms, the festival provides runners with an opportunity to experience some of Scotland's most impressive outdoor terrain while enjoying a weekend built around sport, community and adventure.

Entries are available for the festival via Eventrac here.

Image courtesy Red On Sports