ITERA Adventure Race
Sun 10 - Thu 14 Aug 2025 Aviemore, Highland, UK

ITERA Adventure Race

Adventure for teams of 4 in the spectacular, remote and challenging Highlands of Scotland on a life-changing quest through unique and historic landscapes of forests, mountains, rivers, sea and lochs!

  • Sun 10 - Thu 14 Aug 2025
Badaguish Outdoor Centre, Aviemore

ITERA Adventure Race

12:00

Age 18 & over

£3,000-£3,500

  • 5 days multi terrain running
  • 5 days mountain biking
  • 5 days kayaking

Event overview

Come to the spectacular, remote and challenging Highlands of Scotland for an unforgettable, life-changing adventure.

There are two race distances, so something for almost everyone from newbies to seasoned and experienced racers.

Both courses will be a compelling multi-day, multi-sport journey through unique and historic landscapes of forests, mountains, rivers, sea and lakes (or lochs!). Expect multiple stages of trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and the odd ‘special stage’ thrown in as well.

kayaking

Navigation (using maps and compass) and self-sufficiency are at the heart of adventure racing – the glue that binds the course together and enables a true adventure. Get your team-mates sorted, and get entered into this epic event!

ITERA races have a unique Long and Short Course format that allows for a wider range of experience and ability to successfully complete the course.

Most Checkpoints (CPs) are optional, and so each team can create a course that plays to their strategic strengths. Around 30% of the teams will be able to complete the Long Course (all CPs). Most of the remainder will pick and choose the optional CPs and thus finish the Short Course.

World Championship

ITERA 2025 is a Qualifier race for the ARWS World Championships 2026.

The winner of ITERA 2025 will receive a free entry slot for the 2026 ARWS World Champs.

This event is part of ITERA Expedition Race Scotland.

Event video

  • All fitness levels
  • Event village
  • Newcomers
  • Teams

Itinerary

  • Thurs 7th Aug     
  • Fri 8th Aug | Registration
  • Sat 9th Aug | Reg, Brief
  • Sun 10th Aug | Start
  • Mon 11th Aug | Race
  • Tues 12th Aug | Race
  • Weds 13th Aug | Race
  • Thurs 14th Aug | Finish
  • Fri 15th Aug | Finish. Prizes
  • Sat 16th Aug

Kayak experience/qualifications

These will not be token short paddle stages – expect extended time in the boat. You should expect to encounter open sea (in up to F4/F5 conditions), freshwater lochs and rivers (potentially up to Class 2 or 3 for short sections).

The likely requirement is to have at least one person in each boat with a suitable qualification (details TBC), but most likely around the old BCU 3* or current ‘Explore’ level or international equivalent. Exceptionally, significant experience may be considered as an alternative (at the organiser's discretion) who reserve the right to conduct a skills test before the race start if deemed necessary. 

Packrafts

The use of packrafts for at least some of the paddling stages is being considered as this will allow some incredible course options. However, these are not yet widely owned in the UK, and there are few boats in UK rental stocks. Packrafts will only be used if boats are readily available for rent or purchase at sensible costs.

Mandatory kit

A comprehensive mandatory kit list is readily available.

  • Accommodation
  • Bag storage
  • Camping
  • Mountains
  • Restaurant
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Badaguish Outdoor Centre
Aviemore
Highland
PH22 1AD
UK

On-site facilities

  • Race registration
  • Race briefings
  • Accommodation (there are c. 150-200 beds available on site in a range of comfortable lodges, ‘pods’, and camping pitches (no campervans – sorry). Please see options and book accommodation when you enter the event).
  • Kit storage during the race
  • Finish line (both ITERA and ITERA-Lite)
  • Post-race ceremony

Camping

There are 30 camping places available (based on person not tent). Team members must stick together so camping is available to purchase for either 2 or 4 people. With your booking, you are free to arrive and depart on any date between the 7th and 15th August. 

By air

Badaguish is approximately 1 hour (by road) from Inverness Airport. This is a small regional airport, but has several links each day with London and Amsterdam Airports. There will be a shuttle service from Inverness Airport to Race HQ for international teams. Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports are both around 3 hours by road from Race HQ, and are big well-served international airports.

By rail

Public transport is a viable option – Aviemore has a railway station located on the Perth-Inverness line and is approx. 6km from Race HQ. 

  • Check points
  • Cut off time
  • First aid
  • Mountainous
  • Navigation required
  • Sleeping facilities

Key points

  • 4-person teams only
  • Course length: approx. 400-500km
  • Expected winning time: 96 hours
  • Expected final finisher: 120 hours

Insight

This is an adventure race and the course route is a complete secret until the briefing and map reveal. All teams know the stage and length of each stage but they do not know where they are going. They then have use their navigation skills to plot their way around finding the controls on the course. 

  • Sustainability policy

Sustainability is at the heart of this event's design. From reducing plastic waste and using eco-friendly materials to prioritising local suppliers and minimising the environmental footprint, it's committed to protecting the natural landscapes that inspire the event. Together, we can race responsibly and leave nothing but good memories behind.

  • GPS tracking
  • Map
  • Medal
  • Post-race meal
  • Race photo
  • T-shirt

Included

  • Professional, experienced, event organisation
  • Kayaks
  • Water Safety Management
  • Medical Safety Management and Race Control
  • Special stages (if applicable)
  • Race Maps
  • Race Numbers/Bibs
  • Finishers Medal
  • Event Photos and/or Video
  • Race Memento (e.g. T-Shirt)
  • Sport Ident timing
  • GPS Tracking
  • Event HQ camping
  • Post-race meal
  • Kit transport – vehicles and crew

  • Age 18 & over
  • Entries open
  • Enter online

Entry fees

Team entry fee

£3000.00

Valid to 31/12/2024

Team entry fee

£3500.00

Valid from 01/01/2025

Bloody epic. Did the race last year and came back for more. Loved every second.

Great course, very well organised, easy logistics.

The course design had lots of variety and plenty of options for teams to tailor their journey.

It was more than I expected! The experience was amazing.

It was a very exciting, varied challenge that pushed us to our limits. The landscape was beautiful!

Beautiful nature, clear information before and during the competition, good maps and really interesting course construction. Oskar Svard from the Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team

Other races at event

  • Tue 12 - Thu 14 Aug 2025
  • #2 of 2
Badaguish Outdoor Centre, Aviemore

ITERA-Lite Adventure Race

14:00

Age 18 & over

£1,200-£1,500

  • 3 days multi terrain running
  • 3 days mountain biking
  • 3 days kayaking