A Grand Day Out

Moray Coastal 50 miles 2026 Race Report by Kathryn Fairfield

 

The Moray Coast is my favourite part of Scotland and two years ago I completed my first ultramarathon there – the Speyside Way 50km. The Moray Way Ultras series are Kyle and Debbie Greig’s races and are well known for the friendly atmosphere, beautiful scenery and almost always incredible weather.

I signed up for this race last year and to summarise training didn’t exactly go to the plan. However in the last few weeks I had managed three long runs so decided just to crack on and see what happened on race day.

The route is from Findhorn to Cullen, and has changed from previous years as the bridge at Garmouth collapsed in the bad weather in 2025. It was a 7am start and there’s the option of a bus from Cullen or if you’re lucky like me a well trained husband to chauffeur you there! I knew from my minimal race research and prep that the route had a mixture of beach and trails but I underestimated quite how much beach, and also how tricky some of the cliff top trails were.

I set off with no great expectations other than get it finished and if possible in under 10 hours. The first mishap occurred before I had even reached checkpoint 1 – a fork in the path in the forest with 2 orange flags right at the centre not making it clear which way to take. I was running with David Scott from Fitlike Joggers in Aberdeen and we went right, others went left. Turns out right wasn’t right and we added on over a mile, and my plan of fuelling every 30 mins had quickly gone out the window with the panic. At no point did my GPX tell me we were off route either! Arriving in Burghead for checkpoint 1 was a relief and I was delighted to see Kenny and Bramble, and surprised that the flag he had made me for London (that hadn’t arrived in time) was making an appearance!

Off I went heading along the coast for Lossiemouth and checkpoint 2, where the 50km runners were also assembling. It was heating up and I regretted not changing my top earlier. A few bites of a cheese roll, outfit change and I was keen to head off before the 50km started as I was thoroughly enjoying being in my own head. I was treated to a wonderful solo run across the beach at Lossiemouth, but when the sand changed to large pebbles I was not loving life. Each step battered my toes and if I never see a pebble beach again that’s fine by me!

Not expecting to see anyone until checkpoint 3 at Mosstodloch I was delighted to see Kenny, Bramble and the parents of one of my best friends at Kingston. I told Kenny that I wanted a coffee and some crackers at checkpoint 3 and headed off. This section was headed away from the coast and was beautiful countryside. We had been warned that Mosstodloch checkpoint was up a single track road, so unfortunately Kenny and others didn’t realise they had to park up and walk up to hand any supplies over. So I had to run past the car, shouting that I wasn’t allowed to receive any help there and headed up the farm track. Kenny and Bramble then jogged up but I didn’t get my coffee or crackers and I felt a bit low heading off.

I fell into a run/shuffle rhythm with a runner from Wick who it turns out knows Brian Miller, and was only two weeks off the back of London marathon, as we made our way from Fochabers to Spey Bay. This was my second navigational error, again at a fork in the path with no markings. We headed left and after 3/4 of a mile realised our error and had to backtrack. Arriving in Spey Bay I saw Kenny again who snuck me my crackers (don’t tell anyone) which was welcome. I felt confident about the route from here as it was a straight line along the coast.

Checkpoint 4 in Buckpool was busy as the faster 50km runners were mixed right in with us now, and I was very much now grinding it out. Walk a bit, run a bit, shuffle a bit. I saw Kenny, Bramble, my pals parents and Molly has also appeared as she’s in Aviemore on placement just now. I sat in a camping chair for about 5 seconds and then realised that was a bad idea so grabbed some snacks and kept moving.

The cliff top paths out of Buckie into Findochty and Portknockie were stunning but tough! A couple of hands on the knees moments and I found myself continually asking those who were overtaking me whether they were 50km or 50 mile runners. It was now a real mental battle, and I was taking some comfort that almost all the ‘overtakers’ were doing the fun run! Leaving Portknockie and see Cullen and the viaduct I was quite overwhelmed, I was almost there and come Hell or high water I was getting my medal. The steep steps and then rock climbing section to access Cullen beach was particularly cruel and as I dragged myself along the beach I just wanted it to be over. Up a final set of steps to the car park, I could see the finish arch and the orange carpet and found it within myself to put a big smile on my face and some pace on, and that was me done.

Lovely medal, a drawstring bag, a beer, a sticker and some bright orange sunglasses were the goodie bag. I then got a 15 minute leg massage to try and assist my many aches and pains and had a bag of chips!

Photos by Kenny Fairfield and Stuart Ross Media