Embrace your creative side this spring and head to Scotland's 'artists' town' for a half marathon or 5 miler that both offer stunning scenery as standard. The Kirkcudbright Half Marathon and Buckland Burn Up are all set to take place on 26 May this year with the new half marathon route that debuted in 2023 back once again in 2024.

Organisers say: "This is the second year of our new and exciting half marathon route here in Kirkcudbright. Both the half marathon and 5 miler are wonderfully scenic, but challenging routes.

"Both come with fantastic sea-side views, tranquil woodland settings, and beautiful farmland, all set in and around the lovely harbour town of Kirkcudbright."

With a setting on the beautiful south coast of Dumfries & Galloway, the half marathon started out in 1983 as a fundraiser for extra-curricular activities, equipment and projects for the pupils at Kirkcudbright Academy and has grown considerably in recent years.

The races start and finish in Hope Park which is just a short walk from the town centre. There is also a Junior Fun Run (5-14) which is a roughly 1K route round the park and parts of the town. For the real tots there is a Mini's Dash, which is a free to enter on the day run around the park (4 and under, parental supervision is required).

Over 200 runners took part across the two events in 2023, with Andrew Gibson of Dumfries Running Club winning the half marathon in a time of 1:26:33. First female in the half marathon was Lisa Finlay also of Dumfries Running Club in 1:33:20.

In the Buckland Burn Up event it was Ritchie Thomson of Solway Orienteers who won in 27:57 and Rebecca Dunn who took the female top spot in 36:07.

If you'd like to know more, visit the Kirkcudbright Half Marathon entry page.

Image: Kirkcudbright Half Marathon Facebook