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The Dava Way is the perfect race to transition from marathons to ultras, or if you are a seasoned ultrarunner looking for a quick 50km.

This trail links the historic towns of Grantown-on-Spey and Forres, with a “fun” finish to show you the RD’s favourite running spots as a child to make the 50km distance! The route predominantly follows the old Highland Railway line, which means an off road yet runnable trail.

The flat line goes up to the Dava Summit (1050ft) – which will keep things interesting! – before descending down to sea level. With a mix of woodland, moorland and farm track, the Dava way is one of Scotland’s hidden treasures!

Highlights include:
– The Divie viaduct, the trail’s icon, saved from demolition by Lord Laing
– Huntly’s Cove, a gorge where the 2nd Marquis of Huntly holed up in 1645
– Dava summit at 321 m/1052 ft, with a replica of the original sign
– The Breathing Place at DunphaiI, a place to stop, picnic and enjoy nature, near the viaduct
– The Halfway Hut, restored as a shelter and picnic point (with solar panels)
– Two wood sculptures: a dragoon near the summit and a collie dog which used to convey messages

Race Details

Date: 9th November 2024
Time: 7.30am
Cutoff: 8 hours
Entry Limit: 300 runners
Price: £60

Who can take part?

We want you to feel part of the Moray Way family! Provided you are over 18 and have some experience with Ultra distance running, we would love you to be part of the race.

Whether you want to break the course record or have never done an ultra race before this is the race for you!

Where is it?

The route follows the Dava Way from Grantown-on-Spey to Forres. Full route details and gpx files will be available here in plenty time prior to the race, as well as an official race handbook issued to each competitor to know every detail!

The Route:

Starting in Grantown-on-Spey, the route will take you around the Anagach Woods, through the town then on to the Dava Way, which stretches over 38 kilometres from the Cairngorms National Park to a little tour of the RD’s home town in Forres to total the 50km route. Mostly following the line of the old Highland Railway Line, it provides traffic-free runnable trails, and has diverse scenery from the Spey at Grantown, through the bleak and empty moorlands around Dava and on into a long descent through the more fertile and pastoral landscapes of Moray around Forres.

The GPX for the Dava Way is available to download below. Please note, that the route is subject to change at any point due to external factors outwith our control.

Throughout Moray Speyside

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