Saturday 3rd October 2026
Morven Hill Race will return to its usual date at the start of October this year. Come and join us for this Deeside classic, up and down a proper hill, with steep ground and a technical descent but very doable and open to all. There’s something for all the family with the junior Mini Morven and Half Morven races held alongside the full Morven, and the Half Morven also offers a perfect introduction to hill racing for adult novices and anyone looking for something short and sharp. There will be free refreshments and a chance to socialise at the end of the race.
The Full and Half races will start at 13:00, with the Mini off at 13:10.
For any runners that entered the SHR Champs race in Oct 2025 and who were unable to take part in the rescheduled date in November, we are offering a 50% reduction in the entry fee for this year. Please email morvenhillrace@gmail.com to obtain a discount code for race entries.
And for Deeside Runners members, Morven Hill race is also our annual club hill race championship – you’ve got to be in it to win it!
Entries open 17:00, Fri Aug 21st. Please pre-enter if you can to assist the organisers on the day. Pre-entry fee: Adults £10, Juniors (U18) £3, payable at time of registration. Entry at the event on the day: Adults £13, Juniors (U18) £3.
Start Location and Route
Groddie, By Dinnet, Aboyne. Grid Ref NJ410044
The routes will be marked and runners are expected to follow the marked route.
The full Morven Hill Race (8.8km, 660m climb) starts on the walker’s access path by the roadside (1) and takes a direct route up Morven above the ruined cottage of Balhennie (2). It follows good tracks all the way to the top (4) and will be marked. On the descent the route forks right (5) to the bealach below Roar Hill (6, Grid ref NJ395033) and then NE back towards Balhennie and the finish (7, 1).
The Half Morven Race (4.0km, 400m climb) is open to Senior age groups as well as Juniors (U18 & U16). The race follows the full Morven route as far as the first plateau (1, 2, 3) before cutting left to rejoin the descent route for the full race (6, 7, 1).
The Mini Morven Race (1.8km, 125m climb) is for U14 and U12 only. It follows an out and back route as far as the lone tree on the full race descent route (1, 2, 7, 2, 1).
Contact
Race Organiser – Sarah Dunn, Glamorous Assistant – Jim Savege
morvenhillrace@gmail.com
Race Rules and Safety
The Morven hill race is insured through Scottish Hill Runners, and run under Scottish Hill Runners rules.
Juniors U17 on 31st Dec are not allowed to enter the full Morven Hill Race
All runners in the full Morven race are required to carry the following:
- full waterproof body cover (taped seams)
- hat (buff acceptable)
- gloves
- map and compass (a paper map is required, phone or GPX is not an acceptable alternative)
NOTE:- DOGS must be kept on a lead in the finish / assembly area only – no dogs on the hill as there are sheep in the area.
Prizes
Prize giving and award of trophies is expected to take place at around 3pm.
Results
2025 Results
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
Race Records
Male: Matt Knowles, 43:01, 2025
Female: Angela Mudge, 49:47, 2006