If you're looking for a summer getaway with a difference then why not head north and combine sightseeing with a race in either Orkney or Shetland? Both islands will be hosting scenic events this summer, giving visitors the chance to explore while taking part in some of the UK’s most northerly races.

First up is the Shetland AAC Simmer Dim Half Marathon on 21 June. Billed as the UK’s most northerly half marathon, the point to point race starts in the coastal village of Cunningsburgh, around nine miles south of Lerwick, and follows a mainly road route to finish on the athletics track in Lerwick.

The name Simmer Dim comes from the Shetland term for the light nights of midsummer, when the sun barely dips below the horizon and it never truly gets dark. The course offers runners a memorable journey through Shetland’s open landscapes under the glow of the northern summer.

In July the focus shifts to Orkney for Run St Magnus, which includes the St Magnus Marathon and Relay on 5 July. Known as the UK’s most northerly marathon, the race begins at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall and traces a route linked to the story of the Viking Earl Magnus.

The course heads across Orkney’s west mainland to finish near Birsay Community Hall, close to the historic Christ’s Kirk. The route is described as challenging but spectacular, taking in sweeping coastal views and rolling countryside. Runners can tackle the full marathon or share the distance as part of a three person relay team.

While marathon and relay runners are out on the course, family and friends can take part in the popular St Magnus 5K Fun Run, which follows a circular route around Birsay, with entries available on the day. Organisers have confirmed there will be no 10K race as part of the 2026 programme, but the return of the marathon and relay is expected to draw competitors from across the country.

If you'd like to know more, visit the Simmer Dim Half Marathon and Run St Magnus entry pages.

Image: Simmer Dim Half, Shetland AAC Facebook