Race Dunvegan: Experience the Magic of the Isle of Skye
Join us on Saturday 29th March 2025 for a 10k, 5k, Walking 5k & Fun Run.
ON-LINE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN. RACE COMMENCES 11AM.
Dunvegan Castle is a stunning location to run. Nestled on the shores of Loch Dunvegan, it’s the ancestral home of the MacLeods, one of the oldest and most powerful clans in Scotland. It’s a truly magical place, and a spectacular setting for this run which will create a memory to last a lifetime.
So unleash your wild side and embrace the rugged beauty of this imposing ancient Castle, the loch side setting which will take your breath away, and the beautiful forest trails. Dunvegan Castle Estate will host this race whilst the Castle and Grounds are still closed. So whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, you’re in for a real treat. There's a race for everyone at Race Dunvegan and we offer a variety of distances so you can find and prepare for the perfect challenge for you.
After your race, you can relax and enjoy delicious food at the Macleod Tables Cafe. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Race Dunvegan today, be part of something special, challenge yourself, inspire others and have fun.
A beautiful mixed terrain 10k, 5k, Walking 5k & 2k Fun Run event - all races start in the magnificent grounds of Dunvegan Castle and wind through the stunning woodlands of the Estate.
Entries available on-line until midnight on Thursday 21st March. Ticket prices: 10k = £20, 5k = £12, Walking 5k = £12, Fun Run = £6, Family Fun Run = £12 [all tickets subject to a booking fee] - BOOK NOW FOR EARLY BIRD PRICES UNTIL 1ST NOVEMBER 2024.
Timings are as follows.
9:30am-10.45am: Registration in the small blue marquee next to MacLeods Tables Cafe [located in the car-park]. Here you will collect your number and any merchandise or t-shirt you may have ordered on-line.
11am: Piper will lead walkers to the 5k Start to Go
11.15am: Piper will lead Runners to the Start Line
11.20am: 10k Starts
11:25am: 5k Starts
11.30am: Fun Run Starts
12.45pm Prize Giving at MacLeod Tables. Then relax, chat and enjoy your post race lunch
Timing: This will be a timed race & results will be available on-line after the event.
Everyone is welcome at our race! We celebrate diversity and inclusivity. You can register as female, male, or non-binary. All event toilets and available showers are gender-neutral. While official race results will categorize participants as male or female for ranking purposes, prizes will be awarded in all categories to ensure fairness. Our goal is to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.
The Dunvegan Castle 10k
This race gives runners an opportunity to run on different surfaces over an undulating course. Runners must be 15 years or over to take part. We are fortunate to have access to this amazing location, whilst still closed to the public before the season starts. This mixed terrain event starts in the magnificent grounds of Dunvegan Castle taking runners through the beautiful woodlands of the Estate.
The Dunvegan Castle 5k / Walking 5k
This fun, unchallenging course is suitable for all abilities. Whether you want to walk, whether you’re new to running, or if you want to test yourself, this course is a real treat. Runners must be 11 years or over to take part.
The Dunvegan Castle Fun Run
This is an exclusive opportunity for runners of all ages to enjoy a 2-mile course through woodlands. Due to the nature of the terrain, children must be over 5 years and over to enter and children 8 and under, must be accompanied by an entered adult (18 years and over).
All Run Dunvegan finishers will receive a unique commemorative medal & gift. There will be age group category prizes as well as spot prizes.
Dunvegan Castle & Gardens
At the heart of the 41,000-acre MacLeod Estate on the north end of the Isle of Skye, the Estate is home to several Special Areas of Conservation and Sites of Special Scientific Interest stretching from Loch Dunvegan in the north to the Black Cuillin mountains in the south. It protects an abundance of wildlife, woodlands, rewilding and peatland restoration projects conserving and protecting both the natural and built heritage of this spectacular Estate – what better place to celebrate the natural world.
Skye Events Working Hard To Limit Environmental Damage
Skye Events continues to champion the environment, as do the Dunvegan Estate. We strive to reduce the damaging impact that race events can have on our native landscape. We hope you’ll support and embrace our initiatives which include:
T-shirts
In our pledge to reduce waste we don’t automatically offer a t-shirt as part of the entry price. You can instead pre-order a t-shirt along with other items should you choose when you register. In this way we don’t over- order. Don't worry. If you decide not to pre-order but love our t-shirts on the day, we do a limited run-on that can be purchased from our merchandise shop on race day. We find that by working in this way we control surplus.
Hydration
We ask that all of our runners be as self-sufficient as possible with hydration during the race and avoid any single use of plastic. On race day, there will be one water station for the 10k at the 5k mark along the route, and a refill point for your chosen hydration method. We also provide water in compostable cups at the finish line for runners to use should they not wish to carry water. You can read more about our sustainability initiatives on our Skye Events website.
Plant a Tree
Offset our carbon by planting a tree. We are proud to attract runners from all over the world to our small island. However, we want to offer participants an affordable opportunity to reduce the impact of their journeys. In 2021 we launched our Skye Events Tree Grove. For participants needing to travel, or just wanting to help with the planet, you can buy a tree for just £6 to be planted in our Grove. We are delighted that our Grove now has almost 200 trees thanks to you.
Car Sharing
Dunvegan Castle is at the north end of the Isle of Skye. To reduce carbon emissions we encourage car sharing and can hook people up together at your request. For those without their own transport, race start and end times coincide with the StageCoach timetable. Please check live updates closer to the time on their website.
Community
Finally, Skye Events is a charity with the single aim of bringing people together to promote health, fitness, friendship, and to benefit the community. By signing up to the Dunvegan Castle Run Fest, you will be given the option to donate to our charitable partners - Skye Cancer Care, and Skye & Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau. Not only that, a proportion of income from this key race goes towards our Community Fund which donates to local Skye charities.
The Dunvegan Castle 10k, 5k, Walking 5k, & Fun Run is kindly sponsored
Bakkafrost & Muirhall Energy support our Isle of Skye Community as sponsors of Skye Events.
Race Questions
What age do I need to be to run the 10k?
You need to be 14 years and over.
What age do I need to be to run the 5k?
You need to be 8 years and over.
What age does my child need to be to run the Fun Run?
They must be 5 years and over. Children 8 years and under must be accompanied by an entered adult.
Are there prizes for winning the events?
There are prizes for First Male and Female in the Fun Run, 10k & 5k.
When is the prize giving?
The prize giving will take place in the café, shortly after the last runner comes in.
Can I enter on the day?
You can.
What time does the race start?
11.20am is the start time for the 10k. The Fun Run and 5k, will follow shortly after. The Walking 5k will start at 11.00am. Runners will be asked to congregate in the carpark from 11.00am ready to be piped down to the start line.
Will there be water provided at this event?
There will be a water station at the halfway point for the 10k runners. For all runners there will be water at the finish line area.
When is registration?
Registration will run from 9.30am-10.45am sharp on the day.
