Dess Woods Night Race

Event information

Dess Woods is scheduled for January 22, 2026. The event distance is 8.2 km with about 240 m of climb. Minimum age for entry is 16. Organisers offer free pre-registration to speed up the process; payment is taken when numbers are collected and there is a £1 on-the-day entry fee. Registration and prize giving take place at Deeside Activity Park, Dess, Aboyne AB34 5BN. A cafe at the venue will serve teas, coffees, cakes and soup; participants are advised to bring cash.

Course and safety

The course begins with a steep climb, then runs over grassy fields (the right-hand loop), follows a loop of mostly single-track paths in the woods (the left-hand loop) with another climb, returns to the first loop and finishes with a fast descent. The route is marked with reflective flags. Runners are required to carry a good headtorch, full body cover, a map and a compass; a spare torch is recommended. Recorded best times for the course are 32:10 for men (2020) and 39:35 for women (2024). Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.