One of Ayrshire’s best-known endurance events is preparing to mark a major milestone this September as the River Ayr Way Ultra celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Organised by Ayrshire360, the 2026 event will take place on Saturday, 12 September, with runners tackling a demanding 40-mile route from Glenbuck Loch to the Riverside Stadium in Ayr, taking in some of the county’s most spectacular countryside along the way.
The race offers competitors the choice of taking on the full ultra marathon as an individual or entering as part of a relay team of up to three people. Participants will have a maximum of 10 hours to complete the course.
The event gets underway at 9am, with registration taking place between 7.30am and 8.45am at Glenbuck Loch.
The course is divided into three sections:
Section 1: Glenbuck to Sorn – 17 miles, mainly off-road on rural paths.
Section 2: Sorn to Annbank – 14 miles, predominantly off-road with some road sections.
Section 3: Annbank to Ayr – 9 miles, mainly on roads and tarmac paths.
To help competitors along the route, organisers will provide checkpoints every 10 miles offering fruit, cold drinks and refreshments, while water stations will be available every five miles. Drop bags can be left at designated checkpoints if correctly labelled during registration, and rucksacks will be transported to the finish line.
Transport is also available for competitors travelling to the start. Buses will leave Riverside Stadium, Ayr, at 7am and Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock, at 7.20am. Seats must be booked in advance through Entry Central and cost £8 per person.
Riverside Stadium will open from 6.30am on race day, with changing, shower and toilet facilities available. Participants are encouraged to park at either the stadium or the nearby Ayr Academy car park.
Entries for the individual ultra marathon close on 1 September 2026, while relay team entries must be submitted by 9 August 2026.
Further information, including entry details, is available through Ayrshire360 and Entry Central. Organisers are encouraging runners of all abilities looking for a memorable endurance challenge to be part of the event’s special 20th anniversary edition.