PRE-EVENT GUIDE 2026
ULTRA TOUR OF ARRAN
HELPFUL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN FOR THE ULTRA TOUR OF ARRAN
This document is designed as a planning aid for you to dial into the logistics, the in-event support available, the kit list and general training advice.
This does not replace our full Essential Event Information pack that is released in February with detailed, year specific information.
KEY INFO
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​Registration: Friday 17th April between 1400 - 2100 at the Event Village: Ormidale Park, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8BY. You must register and pick up your tracker between these times, there is no option to register on the morning of the event.
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Adventure Packs: These will be posted out in advance of the event. UK residents should expect to receive their adventure pack around 1-2 weeks before the event. International participants will be required to collect their adventure pack from Registration. Please ensure you have your current address on your entry, you can update this by logging into your Rat Race account.
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The Start: The event starts in the same location each day beside the beach at Fisherman’s Walk (next to Coop) in Brodick. Please find a google pin to the start location HERE. ​This is a 1 minute walk from the Event Village in Ormidale Park and will be signed.
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The Finish: Both days finish at the Event Village in Ormidale Park.
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Camping: Tickets are limited. Please make sure you purchase yours in advance via your RR account. The campsite is TENTS ONLY. Please do not turn up in your campervan, motorhome, caravan or tentbox as you will be turned away. Dogs are not allowed on the camp site.
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Mandatory Kit List: You can find this HERE.
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Pair Entry Details: MUST be filled in via your RR account by the 20th March 2026. After this date there will be a £15 charge per person.
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Transfer: The deadline is 17th March 2026. You can find more information on our transfer policy HERE and process your transfer from your Rat Race account. We are unable to make any exceptions after the deadline has passed.​
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Route: You can view the GPX for this event here(DAY 1 / DAY 2). Please ensure you DO NOT follow this route on the day and instead follow our waymarking due to last minute changes that may occur.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
GETTING TO THE ISLE OF ARRAN ​
To reach the Isle of Arran, you can take a ferry from Troon to Brodick (80 mins crossing time) or Ardrossan to Brodick (55 minutes crossing time)
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​This means there are 2 key locations for this event:
​1) SCOTTISH MAINLAND, ACCESS TO THE ISLE OF ARRAN FERRY CROSSINGS TO BRODICK
Either:
A. The Ferry Terminal, Ardrossan, KA22 8BZ, OR
B. The Ferry Terminal, Troon, KA10 6HH
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2) REGISTRATION AND EVENT VILLAGE
Ormidale Park, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8BY
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When planning your travel, make sure you’re looking at the correct timetable; these vary seasonally. The Summer timetable is not yet open. We expect Calmac to release the summer timetable and bookings in December 2025. You can check whether this has opened HERE.
We strongly recommend booking your ferry early, these can get busy and last minute availability is not a given. It is also our firm recommendation to avoid booking the last ferry of the day if you can to give yourself flexibility on any weather related cancellations etc.
FERRY BOOKINGS
​​OPTION 1: OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO LEAVE YOUR CAR AT TROON OR ARDROSSAN AND BE A FOOT PASSENGER ON THE FERRY.
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Car parking is available at both ferry terminals. Car parking charges apply. Please make sure to follow all guidance and be aware of restrictions which are displayed on signage. You can find further parking details under the Facilities section under each port on the Calmac website HERE.
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The foot passenger return fare is much cheaper and can be booked on the Calmac website here. On arrival in Brodick, we will have a free on demand shuttle service operating for you and your luggage. Head for the Rat Race bus stop at the port and our free on demand shuttle it will take you to the Ultra Tour of Arran Event Village.
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Alternatively, it is an easy, flat 1km walk, passing many shops, cafes and amenities.
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OPTION 2: BRING YOUR CAR ONTO ARRAN
This is fine and the return fare is reasonable: £41.00 return for a standard car and £10.20 per person return for each passenger inside (2025 prices, this is subject to change when 2026 summer timetable is released). When you get to the island, there is ample free parking in Brodick​
PRE-EVENT SHUTTLE BUS TRANSFER
FROM THE FERRY TERMINAL TO EVENT VILLAGE AT ORMIDALE PARK
For those of you resting up before race days or have packed enough for a week away, we will have a free on demand shuttle bus providing transport from the ferry terminal to the Event Village in Ormidale Park.
Alternatively, it is an easy, flat 1km walk, passing many shops, cafes and amenities.
ROUTE & PITSTOPS
ROUTE INFO
The routes of both days will be fully waymarked. We use white arrows on bright orange backgrounds approximately A4 size, as well as small blue flags. Even though the route will be well waymarked, you must pay close care and attention to the route to ensure that you do not go off course.
On Day 2 in particular, you are entering a truly mountainous environment which will require real care and attention to follow the markings and carefully choose the most appropriate route forward. This will be especially true if bad weather brings with it poor visibility. It is likely that you will be near to other runners for most of the day. Indeed, it can help to stay together at times. If you find yourself detached from the route and/or other runners on difficult terrain and poor visibility, then you should treat as priority getting back in touch with both route waymarking and runners, and not continuing onwards with no waymarking present. Therefore, we thoroughly recommend you keep your head up not only to see the signs and keep in touch with other runners but to also appreciate the magnificent views on Arran, nearby islands, and across both seas to the mainland of Scotland, which wraps around Arran!
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IMPORTANT NOTE ON GPX FILES: A word of warning about downloading and using GPX files. The files currently available are as accurate as they can be now, however, once we are on the ground, there may be changes we need to make due to unforeseen or unexpected circumstances. In these cases, the waymarking will be amended to allow continued safe passage but the GPX files will not be updated. If this case arises, you should ALWAYS follow the waymarking and not your GPS device. The detour is very likely to be short and the waymarking and GPX file will soon get back in sync. To be clear: The on the ground waymarking overrides the GPX file.
CUT OFF TIMES & LOCATIONS
Cut-off times are synonymous with events of this type and are essential for the safety management and risk assessment plans. Cut- off times are applied to your departure time from the cut off location. Therefore, in your planning you should aim to arrive at a Pit Stop at least 15 mins before the cut-off time in order to allow you to access the facilities and leave the Pit Stop before the cut- off time.
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There are 3 cut off locations each day. On day 1 each Pit Stop has a cut-off time associated to it. On day 2, the 2 Pit Stops have a cut-off but there is a third mountain cut-off at The Saddle. If you miss this final cut-off, you will not be allowed to tackle the final ascent of North Goat Fell and Goat Fell and instead be directed to descend down Glen Rosa and return to the finish in the Event Village. This route will of course be fully waymarked for you.
PIT STOPS
Day 1 - The Day 1 route heads south to explore the fabulously rugged coastline and rolling, forested hills. Don’t be fooled that it is easy, as 28 miles and 3500ft of ascent will definitely test your legs.
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There are 3 pitstops on day 1 at:
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9.5 miles
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14.5 miles
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23 miles
Day 2 - The Day 2 route heads north and explores the high mountain massif which dominates the skyline. At 30 miles and nearly 6000ft of ascent this is one tough day, made harder by already tired legs.
There are 2 pitstops on day 2 at:
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11.5 miles
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20 miles
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The reason for only 2 stops on Day 2 is simply because of the terrain making areas inaccessible by vans and therefore a Pit Stops can’t be operated effectively in any other locations.
TOILETS
Those camping with us will have access to the Event Village toilets located in Ormidale Park which is our Registration venue.
Please see below on where to expect toilets along the course:
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Event Village: Toilets available
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Start line: Public toilets available
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Day 1 Pit Stop 1: Toilets available
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Day 1 Pit Stop 2: Toilets available
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Day 1 Pit Stop 3: No toilets
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Day 2 Pit Stop 1: Toilets available
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Day 2 Pit Stop 2: No toilets (there is a public toilet just after the Pit Stop which our PS crew can direct you to). We will have pop up changing facilities for women to use at this pitstop with period products available.
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PERIOD PRODUCTS
We’ve got your back—period! In our ongoing drive to increase female participation and inclusivity in our adventures, you will find disposable sanitary bins in designated 'female only' toilets and a box stocked with period products at every location where we provide toilet facilities. Whether you planned ahead or got caught off guard, we’ve got you covered so you can focus on what is important, enjoying the adventure ahead. If you ever reach a pitstop and cannot see these products, please ask a member of the crew who will be able to point you in the right direction!
DAY ONE CUT-OFF TIMES & LOCATIONS
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Whiting Bay (Pit Stop 1) - 12:00
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Kildonan (Pit Stop 2) - 13:30
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Monamore FCS (Pit Stop 3) - 17:30
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Brodick (Finish) - 20:30
DAY TWO CUT-OFF TIMES & LOCATIONS
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Lochranza (Pit Stop 1) - 11:30
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N Glen Sannox (Pit Stop 2) - 14:30
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The Saddle - 16:10
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Brodick (Finish) - 19:00​
All Cut-off times will be rigidly enforced. The race team have the right to review them during the event and the Race Director’s decision is final.
ACCOMODATION & FOOD
GENERAL CAMPING
For those choosing to camp with us, each member of your party will need a camping pass in order to access the campsite. You can purchase your camping pass via your RR account.
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The campsite is TENTS ONLY. Please do not turn up in your campervan, motorhome, caravan or tentbox as you will be turned away.
Dogs are not allowed on the camp site.
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All tents should be pitched a minimum of 2m apart from each other. Please take care to ensure your chosen pitch location does not conflict with any other tent’s entrance or guy lines.
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You will need to bring all of your own camping equipment and tent. Come prepared with warm clothes and a sleeping bag (or bags). It will be cold and you will be tired.
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The following items are NOT permitted within the camping area:
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Tents exceeding 4m x 4m unless accommodating more than 4 people.
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Gazebos and tents for common areas are not permitted.
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Open fires, BBQs, large ‘Calor Gas’ bottle style cooking units/heating units.
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Stereos, or noise making devices. There is a noise curfew of midnight which you are asked to respect.
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Glasses or glass bottles of any kind. With respect to the venue, any of the above items found onsite may be confiscated, and/or the owners may be required to leave the site.
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SHOWERS
Showers are only available to those with a camping pass and are contained within the Ormidale Park building and are sports changing room style, with communal changing and shower areas.
LOCAL HOTELS
Some local providers do not open online booking until Jan/Feb for the summer months. We would recommend phoning or emailing them directly for availability if they are not showing any online via platforms like booking.com.
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FOOD AND DRINK
There will be a caterer at the Event Village ready to keep you well fed and fuelled over the weekend, we will confirm the caterer nearer the time and opening time will likely be:​
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Friday: 1500 – 2200
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Saturday: 0600 – 0700 & 1200 – 2200
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Sunday: 0500 – 0700 & 1200 – 2200
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Monday: 0700 – 1000
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For those who wish to eat something different there are plenty of pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops available in Brodick; all very quickly and easily accessible by foot.
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PITSTOPS
You should plan to be self-sufficient for both days by carrying the food and drink that you require for the full day out. Our Pit Stops will then become additional support to your own plans. This method means you are exceptionally unlikely to find yourself out of food or water.
Here’s what you can expect at every Pit Stop:
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Drinks: Water, squash, hot drinks.
Salty options: Crisps, pretzels etc.
Sweet options: Fruit, jellies, cakes, biscuits etc.
We will endeavour to provide something suitable for all dietary requirements, however this cannot always be guaranteed. Please make sure that you have your own suitable options with you if you have allergies or dietary requirements.