Rat Race | Ultra Tour of Arran

Timetable

Cut off times are in place throughout the course. 

If you are behind schedule to finish on time there may be short-course options although in all cases the leaders will endeavour to return you to the Event Village using event transport if you fail to meet the cut-off time. 

• 08:30 | Day 1 starts
• 20:30 | You must cross the finish line before this time
• A camping pass for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night is an option (or you can find your own accommodation)
• 07:30 | Day 2 starts
• 19:30 | You must cross the finish line before this time

One-day option

If you wish to just run day 1 then you can. There is no option to just run day 2. You will still need to enter as a 2-day runner and then not start the second day. Please note that the price is the same and there will be no medal for those who just run the first day.

Fitness level

This adventure is for anyone with some experience of trail running and good base level of running fitness.

The UTA is an achievable step up from a marathon into ultra-running territory. However they do not call Arran ‘Scotland in miniature’ for nothing. Flat it is not. Elements of this event constitute serious mountain running (and there might even be snow on the ground in some locations) but is definitely achievable for the majority that have prepared well and put in the training miles. 

Typical pace

On day day 1 the fastest person will complete in 6hrs 15. The final person will come in just over 16 hours.

Navigation

It is well supported and fully way-marked to help with easy navigation, however the mountain nature of elements of day 2 will mean that you will need to have a heightened observance to the way-marking. At all other times, this way-marked route should be easy to follow.

Terrain

This is a trail run but there are other surfaces. It's a mixed terrain event. Day 1 is characterised by quiet paths, forest trails, some boardwalk sections, some tarmac whilst coming through villages and a lot of forest dirt road sections. Day 2 is virtually all off-road and there are some serious mountain sections, where the going is decidedly rough underfoot.

Dogs

Sorry, dogs are not permitted.

Kit list

A comprehensive list of mandatory and recommended kit is available. 

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Brodick
Isle of Arran
North Ayrshire
KA27
UK

You can drive to Ardrossan Ferry Terminal, near Glasgow and take a modern and regular ferry across to Brodick on the Isle of Arran, which is where the Event Village will be set up. The crossing takes around 55 minutes and there are up to 10 crossings per day.

There is no airport on Arran. 

You can park your car at Ardrossan and cross as foot passenger to connect with the free Event Village shuttle (recommended) or you can drive across and park on the island.

There's no doubt you’ll love Arran; and it’s not just the running. The island itself has a lot to offer with its own whisky distillery, artisan cheese, great food, history and a lovely ambience.

And the running? Well, this wee piece of paradise has it all: Don’t let its size fool you though – packing an Ultra into each day over a 2-day weekend you will rack up 60 miles with some serious vertical gain.

The mountains are high, the glens deep, the forests enchanting and the coastal scenery stunning. Failte gu Eilean Arainn.

Included

• Guides and support
• Fully waymarked route
• Pit stops
• High quality medal
• Rat rag
• Safety - professional 4x4 vehicles, safety staff, mountain safety, medical and welfare (audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard)
• Shuttle service from the ferry

Pit stops

There will be 3 pit stops on the route each day at distance intervals to be confirmed. Pit stops 1 and 3 will have water with some sweets. Pit stop 2 will have some more substantial food items and hot drinks – flapjack, cakes, tea, coffee and other snacks.

Not Included

• Camping pass - Friday, Saturday and Sunday night camping for £75 per person
• Event t-shirt - Pre-order your Ultra Tour of Arran T-shirt for £15 to collect at the event registration. 

Trip leader

James is your leader for this adventure. He's a multi-lingual running machine!

Environmental pledge

This adventure has made a firm commitment to really elevate its approach to a sustainable and environmentally aware way of working. Each activity has been assessed to improve its environmental impact, including:

• race t-shirts to be collected at the event and not shipped across the world
• wooden medals instead of metal
• phasing out single-use plastics
• local event catering
• tighter recycling activities

This event is on track to achieve carbon-neutral in its day-to-day business activities and is making progress with carbon off-setting for worldwide travel, including ground-breaking ways to make a difference in some of the host locations.

Age

16 and 17 year olds will be considered on an individual basis, if taking part with a responsible adult.

Instalment plan

eg. Pay £40.89 in 7 instalments.

Choose how many months you want to spread the cost over, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the installment plan a recurring payment will be set up and your card will be debited on the same date each month.

Refund protect

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance.

Costs

Absolutely loved Ultra Tour of Arran. Don't get me wrong, it was tough but the views, marshalls, local support and other runners made it a really enjoyable run... Claire F, Race Check

Top top work. Thank you for letting me enjoy Arran in such a painfully stunning way. Simon Small

Superb event, with a huge variety of terrain.

Everyone will remember the endless boggy marsh on day 1 and the literal climb to Goatfell summit on day 2. The rest was great too though, with some lovely coastal stretches and views. Full marks for those who set out the marker flags and tape keeping us on course and top top marks to the course designer for a properly challenging event. Ian Rowe

Thank you rat race for putting on the most epic, toughest, energy sapping course imaginable! It was unreal!! Also huge thanks to the staff and volunteers for keeping us going and feeding /helping us. Campsite was cracking and as always it was a good friendly bunch out there, Will be back! Craig Hynd

Definitely the toughest event I’ve done, but what a stunning course. Thanks to all the marshals, volunteers, base-camp staff and everyone involved. Jan Stock

Awesome weekend. Thanks to all the staff, volunteers and especially the friendly faces of the mountain rescue staff and medics (and dog) sitting on top of goat fell in rain, mist and strong wind. Michael White

From Laura and myself… thank you SO MUCH to all the volunteers and marshals, you guys are awesome! And a big thanks to the organisers for (as has been said a lot) a brutal event which tested us to our limits. So chuffed to finish! Arran you are beautiful, but an absolute beast! Alice McHollan