A brand new circular ultramarathon is planned for the Central Belt of Scotland in 2024. Starting and finishing in Falkirk's Helix Park on 20 April, the inaugural staging of the Forth Ultra & Team Relay is sure to appeal to plenty of runners with newcomers to ultra running equally as welcome as those more familiar with 'going the distance!'

The event is the brainchild of the Scurry2Bridges team and consists of a 43-mile (69K) circular ultramarathon around the Firth of Forth estuary. The really cool part about this race though are the bridges! Participants will cross two iconic Forth bridges as they run between two well-known Scottish trails - the Fife Coastal Path and the John Muir Way.

On race day runners will set off from Helix Park, running past the Kelpies before heading over the Kincardine Bridge. From here they will follow the scenic Fife Coastal Path towards the Forth Road Bridge where they will once again cross the Forth. This will bring them onto the John Muir Way to Bo'ness before they run through the Kinneil Estate and back towards the finish in Falkirk.

A spokesperson told us: "If you are looking for a relatively flat and fast, mainly tarmac or hard path-based ultra distance then this is one for you. It is 85% tarmac and 15% trail." While Graham Coull commented on Facebook: "This is a breathtaking route, flat and very fast. The villages you pass through along the coast line are mesmerising and stacked with history, castles, salt flats, lime kilns, fishing, it has huge Scottish heritage in a single loop. It’s a bucket list route."

The Forth Ultra is a great option for both new and seasoned ultra-marathon runners as well as those looking to take part in the Team Relay Challenge. Entries are open to solo runners and relay teams of two or four. 

If you'd like to know more, visit the Forth Ultra & Team Relay website. 

Image: Scurry2Bridges/Forth Ultra