blairs loch

Event Summary

Update - 22 November.  Please note that there will be roadworks around the Dallas Dhu area, but roads remain passable and access remains to the car park.  Please also remember to bring some change to support Anne's pop-up cafe.  There will be plenty of coffee, tea and cakes with proceeds going to support our Moravian juniors. There will also be jams and fruit jellies!  

Welcome to our November local event at the Altyre Estate near Forres on Sunday 24 October 2024.  This will be the last event to count towards our local league for 2024, so please come and have a go to gain a few more points ahead of our 2024 awards ceremony held in January. Four courses on offer:

  • Light Green: 3.9 km. So many route choices and tricks to avoid!
  • Red: 4.9 km. For those who fancy themselves as runners.
  • Orange: 2.7 km 
  • Yellow: 2 km  A wee bit of challenge, but look out for the yellow smiley faces!

Please note that courses close at 1:30 pm.  You must report to download by this time, even if you retire and do not complete the course.

Cross country
Level D Local
SI AIR
1000-1130 hours
1030-1200 hours
1330 hours
85867
On Leads
Online
SiEntries

Directions and Parking

Directions:   

From East & West - From Forres head south down A940 (Grantown Rd). Event will be sign posted from the Mannachie Rd turn off opposite the Forres Health Centre.  Follows signs for the event/Dallas Dhu Distillery. 

Registration/Download.  The event registration and download will be at Dallas Dhu Distillery (IV36 2RR; Grid Ref NJ 035 566; what3 words https://w3w.co/frogs.alternate.bottle). 

Parking: 

Car parking will be available at Dallas Dhu Distillery car park.  Please car share and park as close together as possible as space is limited.  Please take extra care as you drive into the distillery as participants will be present.   

Toilets:  No Toilets.  Please use nearest public facilities in Forres. 

 

Start and Finish

Start.  The start will be approximately 400m along tracks from the car parking area at Dallas Dhu distillery.  Please follow the marked route.

Finish.  The finish will be approximately 500m from the car park.  Please follow the marked route back to the car park and remember to download even if you do not complete the course.

At registration

Courses

Four Courses:

  • Yellow. 2 km.
  • Orange. 2.7 km.
  • Light Green. 3.9 km.
  • Red 4.9 km (same difficulty as Orange but much longer).
Scale will be 1:7500 with 2.5m Contours.

Entry Details

Entries are online via SI Entries only.  

  • Entries open online from 6th November 2024 and will close at 23:59 pm on Thursday 21st November at normal prices. 
  • Online entries can also be edited/changed/cancelled until this closure subject to map availability. 
  • Limited Entry on the Day until 11:00 am will be subject to an additional £1 and map availability.  

Entry Fees: 

  • Senior Member - £5.00 
  • Senior Non-Member - £6.00 
  • Junior / Student Member - £3.50 
  • Junior / Student Non-Member - £4.50 

£1 discount if using own SI-Card.

SiEntries

Final Details

Safety Information

  • Competitors. Participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety at all times. All participants are to wear suitable 'gripped' footwear and full leg cover. 
  • Terrain Hazards. Participants are advised that they may encounter slippery slopes and dense vegetation in parts, and trip hazards including brash, tree stumps, stony or broken ground, kerbs, steps and tree roots on the courses. 
  • Log Hazards. All courses may encounter log piles due to felling which must not be climbed.
  • Roads.  Participants are advised that courses may cross a public road and that they should check for traffic before doing so.  'Caution Runner' signs will be placed to warn road users of participants crossing the roads.    
  • Water Hazards. Lochans must not be entered or crossed. 
  • Parking. Car parking will be available at the event registration/download at Dallas Dhu distillery.  Please take extra care as you drive into the car park as participants will be present and follow the directions of the parking marshal.
  • Safety Bearing.  Participants are advised that the safety bearing is to head south to the public road and then east to Dallas Dhu distillery.  Participants on light green and red courses, having crossed the public road, should return north to the public road and then east to the Dallas Dhu distillery.
  • Other Users.  Participants are advised that the forest may be used by other users and to be mindful of potential collisions with other participants and estate users.
  • First Aid.  A first aid kit will be available at registration, as and if required. The nearest hospital is Dr Gray’s in Elgin (25 mins drive away). 

Event Officials

Elizabeth and Ben Holmes
Karen Fraser
embrocke100@gmail.com
Andrew Campbell and David Ritchie

Ticks and Covid

Ticks

Risk Awareness:   Please be aware that ticks are common across many of the areas we run in and can carry infections such as Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Encephalitis.  Ticks are active in the UK primarily from March to October, but year-round vigilance is recommended.

Prevention Strategies:   

  • Wearing full leg and abdomen cover in the forest.  
  • Applying insect repellent to exposed skin and clothing.
  • Checking yourself for ticks after your run.  Common areas for ticks include behind the knees, underarms, hairline, and any pressure points.
  • Considering vaccination against TBE, if visiting high-risk areas in Europe or Asia.

Tick Removal and Symptoms:   Consider using a tick removal tool to ensure the tick is removed quickly and completely.   If a tick has attached, it should be removed as soon as possible.

Health Action:  If symptoms develop, such as a rash or flu-like symptoms, individuals should seek medical advice promptly and mention the tick bite, as not all doctors may be familiar with the conditions.

Key Resources:

 

COVID-19 Guidance (Updated March 2025)

If you have symptoms of COVID or have tested positive to COVID, then do not attend the event or activity to help avoid spreading infection.  

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