Bennachie hill race
Race Date: 21 September 2025
The Bennachie Hill Race is firmly established in the calendar as one of the most popular races in north-east Scotland among hill and road runners alike. At around 8.2 miles in length and with a total of 1600ft of ascent (13.1km and 500m), the race is an achievable challenge for everyone.
The race starts at the Back O’Bennachie car park near Insch and takes in many of the famous tops of Bennachie, including Oxen Craig, Craigshannoch and Mither Tap itself. The route returns to the start via the famous Maiden’s Causeway, past Hosie’s Well and Nursery Cottage.
This year, the race marked a successful return to racing for Ralph McInally after his ankle injury earlier in the year. This from Hanna McInally: At about 8.2 miles in length and with a total of 1500ft of ascent it’s not the steepest of hill races but still full of fun runnable terrain. Ralph didn’t set himself any high expectations as it was his first race back after injury but he was only two minutes off his previous time to take first place.
Ralph finished in 1.01.46. There were 106 finishers.