South AchraySun 26 Apr

The main parking for the event is Riverside Carpark in Aberfoyle just off the main street Enquires and download will be situated in a tent on the grass adjacent to the car park. Other public parking locations around the town can also be used if required. 

Please avoid using the parking area east of the Wool Centre if possible. Alternative overspill parking is available (but is chargeable) at the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre. If parking here please carefully follow the map extract (see the final details pdf file) and signs to the start areas to avoid entering the competition area. 

The event has a single remote start and there are two different finishes depending on which course you are running. Please see the final details PDF for information related to the exact locations. Please ensure that all juniors are accompanied if necessary along the routes to the start and finish to keep them safe.

The areas include the fantastic ancient woodland above Aberfoyle. We are delighted to return here after the successful SoSOL event here last year. 

All Courses: Scale 1:7,500, Contours 5m and all courses are printed on SRA4 paper

The TD4 & TD5 course cross the main river that bisects the area. This river can be dangerous to cross in some areas. Competitors should cross the river at the bridges which are marked crossing points on the map.

The area includes many streams and marshy areas, the majority of which can be crossed with little difficulty. White/Yellow courses are planned to follow paths, so will avoid this entirely. The area is also bisected by a small river – with an impressive waterfall! Many of the courses will cross this river at a bridge. The Green, Blue & Brown courses will require crossing some of the larger wet ditches in the area. The depth of water is naturally variable depending on recent rainfall – so please cross carefully. In case of heavy rain an alternative route may be enforced on the day – please follow any instructions provided.

Forestry Land and Scotland (FLS) are aware of the tree disease, Phytophthera Ramorum (PR) being present in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park which is killing Larch trees. To help mitigate the spread of this disease please wash your footwear before and after the event with warm soapy water. More information can be found on the FLS website. In addition, we will provide a foot wash station at the start and at the download tent for all competitors to use both before and after their run. 

• White – 1.1km Climb 25m  (TD 1)
• Yellow – 1.6km Climb 35m (TD 2)
• Orange – 2.1km, Climb 75m (TD 3)
• Light Green – 3.0km, Climb 115m (TD 4)
• Short Green – 3.1km, Climb 120m (TD 5)
• Green – 4.0km, Climb 125m (TD 5)
• Blue – 5.1km, Climb 175m (TD 5)
• Brown – 6.6km, Climb 210m (TD 5)

Yellow and White maps collected from registration before heading to the start

Note, on the yellow & white course a short section from the start and the first control is taped with red/white tape. Competitors should follow the tape from start kite to control 1 and then continue their course as normal.

The Blue & Brown courses have a map flip

Read more about Course lengths and Difficulty here

Entries for the event are open on SI entries

Shadowing and Competitive Pairs entry options are available. 

There will be punching starts between 11am-12:30pm. You may have a short wait at the start to ensure you a slotted into an appropriate time slot. Course closes at 2.30pm

There are public toilets at the Riverside carpark.

• The main safety risk is related to the walk from the parking to the start and finish. This involves walking on the path at the side of the road and crossing the main street in Aberfoyle at the zebra crossing. Juniors should be accompanied and closely supervised by adults both on the walk to the start and the return from the finish.
• The areas can be wet and marshy in areas. Competitor should take care on wet and muddy slopes and paths.
• The longer courses encounter several ditches. These vary in size and the depth of water can depend on the recent rainfall. Competitor should cross with care and consider their own abilities when selecting a suitable location to cross.
• Please be aware of other woodland users. The area is popular with dog walkers. Competitors (particularly juniors) are advised to slow their pace and give plenty of room to other users of the woodland.
• The terrain in the South Achray area can be compact and there will be many runners in the areas covering a variety of course and route that may intersect each other. Please be courteous to other runners (particularly those running in the opposite direction to you) and allow space for other runners to pass safely.
• Note, that ticks can be present in the forest area. All participants are advice to check for ticks. Advice on how remove them can be found here: 
  https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/activities/walking/check-for-ticks