PRE- EVENT GUIDE 2025
SCOTLAND COAST TO COAST
HELPFUL INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN FOR SCOTLAND COAST TO COAST
This document is designed as a planning aid for you to dial into the logistics, the in-event support available, the kit list and general training advice for Scotland Coast to Coast. This does not replace our full Essential Event Information pack that is released in July with the full event guidance.
QUICK REFERENCE POSTCODES
Cawdor Castle : IV12 5RD
Start line: IV12 4NQ
Invergarry Campsite: PH35 4HG
Finish location: PH49 4HL
WHAT TO BRING TO REGISTRATION
​Selected mandatory kit for kit check
Your adventure pack including the envelope
Online disclaimer completion email
IMPORTANT ALWAYS FOLLOW THE WAYMARKING ON EVENT DAY NOT GPX
REGISTRATION INFO
Everyone must attend Registration in person, you cannot register for someone else. No exceptions will be considered.
LOCATION
Registration is at Cawdor Castle between 10:00 - 22:00 on 12th September 2025.
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Registration Postcode: IV12 5RD
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Parking is available. Free shuttle buses will run from Nairn to Cawdor Castle from 10:00 to 22:00.
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If you are flying to the event, Inverness International airport is the closest airport, local taxis will be able to bring you to Cawdor Castle. This journey takes approximately 15minutes.
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If you are hiring a bike from Cycle Hire Scotland you will pick this up at Cawdor Castle next to Registration. Please ensure you attend Registration FIRST before collecting your hire bike.
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ADVENTURE PACK
UK participants will be posted an adventure pack, International participants please pick yours up from the INTERNATIONAL PICK UP desk at Registration.
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Contents
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Bib number and safety pins
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Bag tags
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Bike number
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Bike compound wristband
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Camping passes if purchased
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IMPORTANT packs are posted to UK residents at the start of September. Please ensure your address is up to date on your account by the 1st August.
BIKES, BUSES, BAGS + HOTELS
RAT RACE BUS TRANSFERS
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There are 3 bus transfer options available to help you plan your adventure. Places are limited no further capacity will be added, please log into your Rat Race account to see live availability. If a bus is not showing as available to book it is likely sold out. Please check back closer to the event as spaces may become available as people cancel/transfer out.
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All seats are £70pp for you + space for a bike
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12/09 12:00 Pre-event Transfer to Nairn from the Finish (pick up location is the Harbour car park next to the Isles of Glencoe Hotel car park)
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14/09 10:00 Post-event transfer to Nairn from Finish. This will stop at Inverness train station and Inverness Airport.
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15/09 10:00 Post-event transfer to Nairn from Finish. This will stop at Inverness train station and Inverness Airport.
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FREE shuttle service for Two Day Participants who have booked accommodation in Fort Augustus. This will run between the end of Day 1 location in Invergarry and Fort Augustus until 9pm.
It will run again from 0730 on Sunday morning to get you to the startline for Day 2. No booking required.
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HELPFUL PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINKS
If you are planning to use public transport to get to and from the event here are some helpful links for your planning
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Nearest airport: Inverness
Nearest train station to Registration: Nairn
Nearest train station to Finish: Fort William
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To look at train timetables and to book a train visit www.thetrainline.com
To look at bus timetables and to book a bus seat visit www.citylink.co.uk
To find and book a taxi please check out these local companies ​
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IMPORTANT. This is a remote area of Scotland and taxis must be prebooked. There is no Uber or on-demand equivalent available, you must have your onward transport planned and booked from the finish.
Do not rely on being able to solve it locally on the day.
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BIKE HIRE
As outlined on the website bike hire is limited and our cycle partner Cycle Hire Scotland, you can book directly with them on their website on the below links. The availability is live, if your preferred size isn't showing it may be sold out. You can contact CHS directly on cyclehirescotland@gmail.com to request to be added to their waiting list in the event of cancellations.
Whether you are entering the 1 day or 2 day category, you will use the same bike throughout the event. The perfect bike for this event's cycle portion is either a cyclocross bike, a hybrid bike or gravel bike.
Bike hire can be purchased below through our partner provider Cycle Hire Scotland. Bike hire is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Book your Gravel bike hire HERE.
Book your Hybrid bike hire HERE. ​​​
The difference between the gravel bikes and hybrid bikes is actually very little. Gravel bikes have drop bars and Hybrid bikes have flat bars. Tyres and gearing are pretty much the same.
Helmets and spd style pedals are also available to rent, or you can bring your own of course.
Bringing your own bike to this event is always the best option and we would encourage this where practical for peace of mind.​​
WHAT BAGS WILL WE MOVE?
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For One Day participants we will move 1 bag each for you to the finish. This can be no bigger than 70L and not weigh more than 15kg due to vehicle weight restrictions.
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For Two Day participants we will move 1 bag to the end of Day 1 for you, we will then move this to the finish of Day 2 for you. You may also give us a tent to transport weighing no more than 5kg per person and no more than 15kg in total.
FINISH LINE ACCOMMODATION
Rooms are available to book at the Isle of Glencoe Hotel, at the event finish line. All rooms include Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. You must book through the below link to access the availability as the hotel is exclusively reserved for Rat Race, it will show as fully booked on other booking platforms.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROOM​​
If you are looking for alternative local accommodation nearby, the finish line postcode is PH49 4HL. You will also need to book a taxi to get you to another hotel due to the remote location.
MANDATORY KIT LIST
The kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for help.
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Running shoes.
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Running/trekking backpack.
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Hydration bladder or bottles. A 2L carrying capacity is mandatory.
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Basic first aid kit containing assorted adhesive dressings including 1 at least 100mm x 100mm. Gauze or gauze bandage and paracetamol.
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Food to be carried with you minimum 1000kcals.
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Survival bag, NOT blanket.
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Whistle.
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Reusable cup suitable for hot drinks.
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Waterproof jacket and trousers with TAPED OR WELDED SEAMS as a minimum standard.
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Additional upper body mid-layer.
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Fully charged phone.
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Method of payment (card/cash/apple pay).
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Tracker (supplied).
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Hat or buff suitable for weather conditions and a pair of gloves.
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Cycle helmet.
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Headtorch and spare batteries.​
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KIT CHECK
PLEASE BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO REGISTRATION FOR KIT CHECK
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Waterproof jacket and bottoms
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Headtorch
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Bike Helmet (if you are bringing your own)
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Survival bag
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Please note these items are re-checked at the Fort William transition before heading on to the mountain. You will not be allowed to continue if you cannot produce these items to the Rat Race kit check team at this location.
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CHANGES TO THE LIST
We reserve the right to enhance the kit list if we feel it is necessary before the event due to the weather, this will be communicated via email so please ensure you have events@ratrace.com added to your whitelist so you receive any comms we send out.
THE COURSE + TIMINGS
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WAYMARKING
This route is fully waymarked you DO NOT need to use a navigational device, we use neon orange signs and tape which will always have the RR logo on, please do not follow any signage that doesn't.
You may download the GPX files but PLEASE always follow the arrows first.​​​​​​​​
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BAD WEATHER CONTINGENCY
With the safety of our participants as number1 priority, we may have to make dynamic changes to how the event progresses to take account of prevailing weather and wind conditions. Unfortunately, an accurate picture of what measures will be in place cannot be given until much closer to the event. If the thresholds are met where it becomes unsafe to operate the kayak leg we will redirect the run leg to Kinlochleven (approximately an extra 2 miles).
We will operate a bus transfer from the secondary, smaller finish location to the Isles of Glencoe Hotel for participants.
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THE STAGES AND CUT OFFS
Cut offs are enforced and they are applied to your departure time not your arrival time into the location. If you are cut off you will be transported forward on the course using our sweeper vehicle. If you have supporters they can pick you up if you wish.
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One Day Participants start time 0615
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Trek/Run 7 miles
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Cawdor Castle Transition
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Road Cycle 44 miles
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Off Road Cycle 20 miles
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Road Cycle 14 miles
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Fort William Transition CUT OFF 1600
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Mountain Trek/Run 14 miles
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Kayak Transition CUT OFF 1930
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Kayak 1 mile
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Course closes 2000
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Two Day Participants start time 0730
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Trek/Run 7 miles
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Cawdor Castle Transition
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Road Cycle 44 miles
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Off Road Cycle 8 miles
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Road Cycle 1 mile
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OVERNIGHT STOP
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Road Cycle 1.5 miles
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Off Road Cycle 11 miles
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Road Cycle 14 miles
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Fort William Transition CUT OFF 1430
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Mountain Trek/Run 14 miles
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Kayak Transition CUT OFF 1800
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Kayak 1 mile
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Course closes 1900
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THE START
Nairn Links: IV12 4NQ
Please avoid parking on Cumming Street as we need the access for our large baggage vehicles. You can park on the streets of Nairn and walk down or in local pay and display car parks.
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There are toilets available at the start.​
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One Day participants will start at 0615 please ensure you are ready at the start line no later than 0545.
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Two Day participants will start at 0730 please ensure you are ready at the start line no later than 0700.
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The first run involves a narrow track so we recommend faster runners start at the front to ensure an enjoyable run for everyone.
DAY 2 START INFO
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0630 – Invergarry Transition Bag Drop opens
0730 – Bus service from Fort Augustus main car park to Invergarry
0730 – CHALLENGER START WINDOW OPENS Invergarry Transition
0815 – Invergarry Transition Bag Drop closes
0830 – CHALLENGER START WINDOW CLOSES Invergarry Transition
THE FINISH
Isles of Glencoe Hotel: PH49 4HL
The finish line is on the shore of Loch Leven outside the Isles of Glencoe Hotel bar. It is a great place for supporters to wait to cheer you across the finish line. Immediate support is available to you here with a roaring fire, a restaurant, bar, toilets and the Rat Race medics.
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Bikes and bags sent to the finish line from the Fort William transition are stored in the hotel car park compound. This will be signposted.
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No showers are available for non-hotel guests.
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WATER AND SNACKS
Coast to Coast is designed as a mostly self supported adventure and we do not have large Rat Race Pit Stops that you may have experienced at other events. We have outlined below where you can access water/snacks.
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One & Two Day participants: Water, sweets and fruit available at 38 miles.
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One Day participants: Pit Stop at 62 miles and the Fort William Transition (85 miles) with hot drinks/water/small snacks.
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Two Day Participants: Hot drinks/water/small snacks at Fort William Transition (85 miles) only on Day 2.
2 DAY CAMPING INFO
CAMPING FOR TWO DAY PARTICIPANTS
We operate a campsite at the end of Day 1 in Invergarry for Two Day participants ONLY. This campsite has no vehicle access and it cannot accommodate campervans, tent boxes or cars next to tents. Limited parking is available in an adjacent field for Supporters. Please take care and follow marshal instructions.
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We will have a caterer onsite on Saturday evening so you can purchase a bite to eat, you can also use the shuttle bus to go into Fort Augustus for food, this runs until 9pm. Please note there is no catering on Sunday morning. There will be hot water available for you to make your own breakfast & hot drinks. Please be prepared and bring breakfast!
There are communal changing areas and showers available in the small sports club onsite.
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All campers will require a camping pass. These are needed per person and not per pitch. The campsite is pitch your own tent only. There are no pre-pitched or glamping options available. We will transport a tent for you from the start please see bag info. Camping passes are limited due to the field size so please purchase yours asap from your Rat Race account to secure a camping space.
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TRAINING PLAN
Our medic and welfare partner Trail Med have put together comprehensive and detailed training plans and fuelling advice guides for our multisport adventures. ​
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We recommend following the Multisport (cycle) training plan for Scotland Coast to Coast. You can view all the available training plans here.
ANY QUESTIONS?
CUSTOMER SERVICE
If you have any questions not answered in here please do reach out to us on events@ratrace.com and our friendly team will get back to you as soon as we can. This inbox is monitored 0900 - 1700 BST Mon - Thurs.
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TRANSFER AND REFUND ENQUIRIES
If you need to withdraw from Coast to Coast and go through our transfer process this closes on the 12th August. After this time we cannot process any transfer requests. For all the information regarding transfers please click here.
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Please note that event credit is non transferable and is exempt from this process. Any transfer requests made via email after this date will not be considered.
All entries are non refundable as standard for any reason. If you purchased Refund Protect as part of your entry and you believe you have a qualifying reason preventing you from attending Coast to Coast you can start a refund request with them here. Please note that this is a 3rd party service and Rat Race cannot influence their decision.
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PAIR AND TEAM ENTRIES
If you are a part of a pair entry please ensure all your details are filled in before the 8th August for each person by the person who purchased the entry. Any late submissions will be subject to a £15 admin fee to create your Adventure Pack on the day. Just login to your Rat Race account to add these details.
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