Dearg up and doon hill race
Length
31.6 Kms
Elevation gain
1065 m
Max elevation
1008 m
Difficulty
*****
Rating
****
Type
Loop
Route id
583
Main road
0 Kms
Country road
0 Kms
Dirt road
21 Kms
Dirt path
0 Kms
Trail
10.6 Kms
1
0
Cost :
The entry cost for unaffiliated runners in 2021 was 41.50 GBP for the Dearg Up and Doon.
When :
2021 was the first event and held in the first week in June
Length:
31.55 Kms
Start :
Blair Castle.
End :
Blair Castle
Style :
Loop
Size :
200
About 180 in the 2021 event.
Elevation :
1065 m
Max Elevation :
1008 m
Entry opens
Early in the year
Website
RACE DESCRIPTION - Dearg up and doon hill race
Route summary
The Dearg up and doon hill race route is a trail and dirt road run within Perthshire, Kinross & Angus. The loop covers a distance of 31.55 Kms ( 19.6 miles )
and has an elevation gain of 1065 m ( 3494 feet )
.
Getting In
No issue with access to the race in 2021.
Getting there
Getting to Blair Castle is easy as it is situated just off the main A9 road from Perth to Inverness.
Expo
No expo. Numbers are collected on the day.
Pre-run
No pre runs, but other events such as a 5k are available.
Race day
In 2021 the first Dearg Up and Doon took place as part of the trail running weekend organised by Outsider events. And the sun shone.
Finding the start line in the car was easy enough and parking was easy. From there to the queue to pick up the number and onwards to the toilets. First race in
a long time with plenty of toilets.
The start is in long grass in a field which makes for difficult running for a very short time till you reach the road. That is the least of the worries for the day. The route
heads out through the grounds of the castle and generally you are shaded by the trees. Once you leave the tree line that is you out in the open for the rest of the day until
you near the finish line.
The route is a gradual climb to about
11 Kms
and from there to 17 Kms
and the top of the hill it is steep. The trail on this part is mainly loose stones so
watch out as it can get difficult. The views are great for most of this race.The second of the feeding stations was around the
25 Kms
mark which was some way after that advertised for the event. On a hot day this was not a great thing.Once past the rifle range where people are shooting who knows what you are almost at the end. However, lets get you back into the woods and through all that long grass again
before coming to the finish line and a brilliant crowd. We measured nearly
32 Kms
on this event so keep that in mind.
The finish
No medal just a cheer coming over the line. Massage, beer and burgers are all available.
Where to stay
This event comes with a camp site included in the cost. However, there are lots of places to stay nearby.
Route directions
Kms
1
Start line
0
2
Head off in the long grass and follow the well marked course
0
3
First food stop
11.1
4
Start the big climb to the top
13
5
A u turn and head back down the hill. The top.
16.7
6
Over the burn then heading back to the finish
20.4
7
Second food stop on the 2021 run
24.5
8
The finish line
31.6
The start and end area
The line up to the signing in tent
The start and end area
The shopping centre featuring massage, burgers, coffee and beer
The start and end area
Looking towards the castle
The start and end area
Starting to get busy
The start and end area
Start of the race
The start and end area
Slow through the long grass
The start and end area
Up to 100 on each wave in 2021
The start and end area
Last of the first wave
Early in the race
Out on the open road
In the woods near the castle
Trails in the wood near the start
Out of the trees and into the open
Out into the open
Long gentle climb on dirt road
Clear sky and open road ahead
Long gentle climb on dirt road
The climb continues
The climb continues
The climb continues
First sight of the main climb
A descent to the first food stop
A short section of down hill
A descent to the first food stop
Approaching the first food stop
Getting ready to climb
The climb is on
Getting ready to climb
Route is still good quality
Early part of the hill
Path turns to loose rock and steeper
Early part of the hill
Looking back down the hill
Early part of the hill
Most are walking at this stage
Early part of the hill
View back down the glen
Early part of the hill
Near the bottom of the hill heading back across the stream
Approaching the top
Short flatish section
Approaching the top
Near the top
Approaching the top
Top is in sight
The top of the hill
U turn sign at the top
The top of the hill
Rubble and rocks on the top
The top of the hill
Time for a picture
The top of the hill
View across the countryside
The long descent back to the finish line
Feels like it goes on forever
The long descent back to the finish line
Still going down hill
Into the tree line at last
Just after the rifle range