Highland Fling Ultramarathon

Highland Fling 53 Mile Ultramarathon

Prepare to experience the magic of the Scottish Highlands. The Highland Fling is a breathtaking 53 mile (85km) point-to-point ultramarathon taking you along the spectacular southern stretch of Scotland’s most famous trail, the West Highland Way.

Serving as the host of the Scottish Ultra Trail Championships, "The Fling" is a true bucket-list event. Renowned for its flawless organisation, its unbelievably welcoming atmosphere and its legendary finish-line afterparty, this race offers the perfect blend of serious trail competition and incredible community spirit.

Course

Leave the navigation worries at home. The Highland Fling route is fully waymarked, allowing you to focus entirely on the trail beneath your feet and the stunning scenery around you.

• The Journey: Your 53 mile adventure begins in Milngavie (just outside Glasgow) and journeys deep into the breathtaking landscapes of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, before culminating in the Highland village of Tyndrum.
• The Terrain: The route is 90% trail and 10% road. You will experience a massive variety of underfoot conditions, from fast, hard-packed dirt trails and forestry tracks to the notoriously technical, undulating and root-heavy shores of Loch Lomond.
• The Elevation: Do not let the lack of massive mountain summits fool you. The route features a relentless 2,300m of ascent (and 2,100 metres of descent), which will severely test your leg strength over the 53 miles.

The Highland Fling enforces a strict no external support or pacers rule. However, you will not miss your crew, as the race organisers provide world-class on-course logistics.

• Drop Bags: Runners have access to a brilliantly efficient drop-bag system across three on-course checkpoints, allowing you to access your own specific nutrition and fresh gear.
• The Finish Line Party: The finish line in Tyndrum is legendary. You will be welcomed into heated marquees with free homemade hot food and drinks, free hot showers, a complimentary post-race massage, and a brilliant afterparty featuring a BYOB and donation bar. Your luggage is also transported directly from the start to the finish for you.

The Highland Fling is highly respected for its progressive, inclusive ethos. The event team actively works to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe. Features include an active gender entry, a split start line giving elite women space, an early start option for slower runners, pregnancy/adoption deferrals, provision of period products at all portaloos, and full LGBTIQ+ inclusivity (including a non-binary entry category and the welcome of trans athletes in their identified gender category).

Why Run The Highland Fling?

It is a cornerstone of the UK ultra-running calendar for a reason. The Highland Fling perfectly balances the prestige of a championship race with the warmth of a grassroots trail event. Whether you are hunting for a UTMB index score, stepping up to the 50+ mile distance, or just want to experience the sheer beauty of the West Highland Way, earning your Fling medal is an unforgettable Scottish adventure.

With entries operating on a first-come, first-served basis, places fill up incredibly fast. For the most up-to-date entry info, comprehensive rules and to secure your place on the start line, please visit the official Highland Fling race website.