Heart of Granite
13th September 2025
On Saturday 13th September 2025 at 10am, (Early start 9am) Nicky Spinks and Galloway Mountain Rescue will resurrect this classic southern Galloway race of 20 miles with 1850m of ascent which starts and finishes at Caldons Campsite in Glen Trool.
This is a race for people who are over 18 years old, with fell running experience and navigation skills as it's a winter race and it could be run in winter conditions. Galloway Mountain Rescue marshalls will man the two manned checkpoints and providing First Aid cover. All entrants will receive a bottle of Sulwath Brewery beer and hot soup /refreshments at the finish. This year we will put Opentracking trackers on all runners which does add a cost however all profits from the race will go to Galloway MRT.
Entry online only (we have to order the trackers) at £25 on Si Entries - https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=15606
Location: Caldons Campsite, Glen Trool, Newton Stewart, DG8 6SU OS Grid Ref: NX 40027 78951
Camping is available at Caldons campsite - £5 per tent. £15 for Campervans - please note there is no hard standing. Please see MRT on arrival.
Registration from 8am, Race start at 10am. There is an Early start at 9am for older and slower runners. Please note that CP3 at 10km will not open until 10am.
Route: Checkpoints - CP1 Lamachan - Wall summit shelter NX 43523 76907, CP2 Curleywee - Summit cairn NX 45457 76960, CP3 Axe Head stone. Manned with food NX 45242 78617, CP4 Craiglee - Trig point NX 46152 80147, CP5 Path Manned with sweets/snacks NX 43209 81476, CP6 Merrick Trig point NX 42757 85563, CP7 Benyellary Summit cairn NX 41492 83877, Follow the Merrick Race route to CP8 Bruce's Stone NX 41577 80349 Then path to the road and road to the Finish.
Note: There is a Cut off at CP5 at 3pm and runners can voluntary short cut to Bruce's Stone and the finish before that. We will record Finish times but as it's not a race, then no prizes will be given.
Kit: The following is the mandatory kit list which must be carried / worn:
The map shows the recommended route however any route can be taken between checkpoints. I have done a Route description page - Heart of Granite Route notes.htm
This race has a permit from Scottish Hill Runners association and run under SHR rules.