explorr Gravel Running Festival
Off road running festival in Royal Deeside featuring 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon races on gravel tracks and forest paths near the Cairngorms.
| Date | Sunday 30th August, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Distance | Half Marathon + other events: 5K, 10K, Marathon |
| Location | King George V Park |
| Town/City | Banchory |
| Area | North East |
| Start postcode | AB31 5HT |
| Start time | 10:00am |
| Organiser | Maximilian Wussler |
| Website | Enter Now |
The explorr Gravel Running Festival brings 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon races to Royal Deeside, with off road courses set among the forests and countryside on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Starting and finishing in Banchory, the routes use gravel tracks, forest paths and limited road sections, making them accessible to runners across a range of abilities.
Designed around the growing sport of gravel running, the event offers wide, runnable surfaces rather than technical trails. A Kids Race with 1KÂ loops for ages 5 to 11 is also part of the programme, creating options for both experienced runners and families.
The courses showcase the landscapes of Royal Deeside through a network of gravel paths and forest tracks, with distances ranging from 5K to Marathon. Their non technical nature makes them suitable for runners looking to move beyond road racing while still enjoying predictable surfaces and flowing routes in a scenic outdoor setting.
