Race to the Base 2025

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From Race to the Base

  • Date Sun 11th May 2025
  • Time 11:00
  • Location Assynt Leisure Centre, Lochinver, IV27 4JP
  • Price £30.00
  • Races 1 race
  • Distances Half Marathon

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Race to the Base 2025

Sun 11th May 2025

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Event summary

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at the Race to the Base 2025, hosted by Race to the Base! This exhilarating trail half-marathon takes place on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in the breathtaking landscapes of Lairg, Lochinver, within the Highland Council area. Runners will tackle an impressive 13.1-mile course that winds through stunning Highland scenery, culminating at the foot of Scotland's iconic mountain, Suilven.

Participants will experience the enchanting beauty of Loch na Gainimh, where the pristine waters reflect the majestic northern face of Suilven. As you race back to the charming fishing harbour of Lochinver, prepare for muddy trails, captivating wildlife, and the unpredictable Scottish weather that adds to the thrill! Nestled just off the renowned NC500 road trip route, the Race to the Base offers a unique and exhilarating trail running experience like no other in the UK. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to challenge yourself and embrace the wild beauty of Scotland!

Race to the Base 2025

Sun 11th May 2025

A serene landscape featuring a coastal village with small houses near a calm body of water. Rolling hills and dramatic mountains rise in the background. The scene is bathed in warm, golden sunlight under a partly cloudy sky. A person stands on a hill overlooking a scenic landscape with a lake and mountains under a sky filled with clouds. The warm sunlight casts a golden glow on the autumn-colored terrain. A stunning sunset casts a warm glow over a mountain landscape with grassy foreground. The sky is partly cloudy, reflecting orange and pink hues, and a winding river or lake nestles at the mountain's base. A rocky trail leads through a scenic landscape of grassy hills and large boulders under a partly cloudy sky. A mountain peak is visible in the background, partially shrouded in low-hanging clouds. A stunning view of Suilven mountain in Scotland at sunrise. The peak rises majestically above a landscape of rolling hills and valleys, partially shrouded in mist. The sky is a soft blend of pink and orange hues. A wooden footbridge crosses a small stream in a rugged landscape, with brown grass and scattered rocks. In the background, mist shrouds the peaks of distant mountains under a cloudy sky. A person wearing a cap and a jacket smiles in the foreground with a mountainous landscape and a body of water in the background. The sky is cloudy, adding a dramatic effect to the scene. A panoramic view of a rugged landscape with a dirt trail, rocky hills, and a calm lake under a cloudy sky. The area is covered with brown grass and sparse vegetation, with a prominent mountain peak in the background. A tranquil scene of a serene lake with reeds and smooth stones in the foreground, reflecting the mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky. The silhouette of hills blends with the misty atmosphere, creating a peaceful, natural setting.

Organiser's Description

A wild trail half-marathon to the base of Scotland's most iconic mountain, the mighty Suilven!
Over 13.1 miles of stunning Highland Scenery, you'll race to the shore of pristine Loch na Gainimh at the base of Suilvens impressive northern face, before heading back to the finish line in Lochinver, alongside the pretty fishing harbour.
Prepare for muddy trails, stunning wildlife, remote beauty and savage weather!
Just off the famous NC500 road trip route, Race to the Base is a trail half-marathon like no other in the UK.

Races

  • Race to the Base 2025

    A Wild Half Marathon Trail Run to the Base of Scotlands Most Iconic Mountain, the Mighty Suilven.

    £30.00

    Booking for more than 1?

Book

  • Race to the Base 2025

    A Wild Half Marathon Trail Run to the Base of Scotlands Most Iconic Mountain, the Mighty Suilven.

    £30.00

    Booking for more than 1?

Route and elevation

Rugged, wild, and remote, this is a half-marathon like no other.
While the path is well trodden and easy to follow, in places it is steep, slippy, muddy and wet, so be prepared!

Starting in Lochinver, a pristine fishing village on the world-famous NC500 driving route, the fully way-marked trail winds its way past pristine lochs, deer-filled glens, heather-spotted moorland and sparkling rivers on its way to Suilven, one of Scotland's most loved and most iconic mountains.

An out-and-back course, the return route treats you with gorgeous sea views as you approach the finsh line on Lochinver's stunning harbourside.

1400ft elevation gain

25% Road, 75% Track

What's Included

Participants will receive an exclusive Race to the Base branded snood, along with a finishers medal.
Water stations will be provided along the route, which will be fully waymarked and staffed, with trained first aiders on standby.
Toilet facilities will be provided at the start/finish line, along with limited capacity changing rooms.
Food and drink will be available to purchase after the race.

  • Bespoke 'Race to the Base' snood
  • Bespoke finishers medal
  • A stunning, truly wild trail course - no navigation required!
  • Wild deer, pine martin, eagle, otter, porpoise and seal sightings common!
  • Prices for 1st place male and female finishers
  • Stunning race photographs

Parking

Free parking is available in Lochinver, but spaces will be limited. We advise arriving early to avoid disappointment.
Public transport is very limited, so please consider lift sharing from accommodation where possible.

Location

Registration: Assynt Leisure Centre, Lochinver, IV27 4JP

W3W blushes.comfort.spinners

The highland village of Lochinver is just off the famous NC500 touring route, in the far northwest of Scotland.
There is plenty of accommodation locally, but we'd advise booking early as rooms and campsites full up fast!
Toilets are available at race registration HQ (at Assynt Leisure Centre). Parking, shops, food, petrol and accommodation are all available in the village of Lochinver, just 5 minutes walk from the race start/finish line.

FAQs

  • When does it start?

    Registration is between 9.00-10.30 on Sunday 11th, with the race starting at 11.00

  • Where do I park?

    There is limited parking available at Assynt Leisure Centre (Registration HQ), with plenty more free parking available in Lochinver village, only a short walk from the race start.

  • How old do I have to be to race?

    For insurance purposes, participants must be over 18 years old on the day of the race.

  • Will I need to navigate?

    No. The race follows a well defined path, and will be marshalled and fully marked.

  • Can I bring my dog?

    Sorry no. We love dogs, but this run passes through unfenced croftland, with sheep, deer and other wildlife roaming free. For their safety, and the safety of your fellow runners, we will not allow dogs.

  • Where can I stay?

    Lochinver is on the world-famous NC500 touring route, so there are loads of choices for accommodation. Book early though, as rooms fill up very fast!

  • Is water/gel availale on the route?

    We will be providing water at ~3 mile intervals, but not energy gel. Feel free to bring your own, but please respect the environment by taking any gel packets away with you.

  • What kit will I need?

    Trail shoes are a must as the course is muddy and slippy in places. Poles are allowed, but we'd ask you've experience using them, and to be mindful of other runners in places where the route is narrow. Hydration packs are encouraged, but not necessary. Lochinver is in the remote Highlands of Scotland. Although we hope for good weather, May is notoriously fickle here, so competitors should be ready for any weather - including snow.

  • Is there a time limit?

    Yes. For the safety of our marshals, there is a time limit of 4 hours. After this time, our race marshals will be brought down off the race route. No sweeper vehicle will be available on the rough sections of track (miles 3-10), so please bare this in mind before entering.

on the day

Registration will take place at Assynt Leisure Centre (IV27 4JP) between 09.00 - 10.30. (Toilets available)

Once registered, runners will meet at the Start Area in Culag Park for a pre-race briefing, warm-up and safety talk at 10.45. The race will start at 11.00.

Runners finish on the Harbour Breakwater.

The main village of Lochinver is only a 5-10 minute walk from the Finish Line, and offers shops, cafes and restaurants, plus ample parking.

Restrictions

Headphones are permitted, but we ask participants to refrain from using them the the first and last mile of the race, where runners will cross a section of unclosed road.

We're really sorry but the track is completely unsuitable for wheelchairs

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Race to the Base 2025

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