Runners looking to start 2022 as they mean to go on now have a few new goals to aim for.

The next Loch Morlich Running Festival will take place at noon on Sunday, 2nd January 2022, from its traditional scenic start at the Hayfield, Glenmore, near Aviemore.

In years past the festival was held in August, but moved to its New Year slot at the start of 2021.

Now in its fifth year, the festival will offer runners both 10K-ish and 5K-ish runs, both of which are run entirely on forest tracks through the beautiful Glenmore Forest to a stunning finish on Loch Morlich beach. (The exact distances are 11.2K and 5.6K, but who’s counting?) 

Both runs will be well marshalled, with first-aiders on site throughout the event. Runners who didn’t get trail shoes for Christmas needn’t worry: normal trainers and trail shoes will both be suitable for the good terrain. 

Kingussie-based organisers Fitnessat58degrees stress that the event is ‘very welcoming’ and open to runners of all abilities. Participants can be sure of their full support whether they ‘decide to walk the course or are chasing a personal best’, with the stunning Cairngorms as their backdrop.
There is no entry fee for runners under the age of 16.

All finishers will receive handmade wooden medals from The Workshop, Aberfeldy, the Perthshire social enterprise focused on giving disadvantaged young people an opportunity for employment. 

Entries to the chip timed event are limited to 500, with prizes up for grabs for the top three men and women in both races. 

Image: Fitnessat58Degrees (facebook)