24/05/2026
(For anyone not able to see their email)
Dear Runners,
Reach the Beach is now just 5 weeks away, and we honestly can’t wait to welcome you all to Assynt.
We know many of you are travelling a long way to join us, and we’re doing everything we can to make it a brilliant, memorable and safe day out on the trails.
A few important bits of information ahead of race weekend:
Registration
Registration will take place at Assynt Leisure Centre (IV27 4JP):
Friday 26th June: 18:00 – 19:30
Saturday morning: 06:00 – 06:45
Please note: you cannot race unless you have registered.
Race Detail & Mandatory Kit
The race starts at 7am on Lochinver Harbour Breakwater. The cutoff time for the race is 15 hours, making the final finishing time 22.00. The finish line is on the carpark at Assynt Leisure Centre.
The race is approximately 70km, taking place on mixed terrain. Elevation gain is approximately 4750ft. There is no technically challenging terrain, but some areas do present serious hazards (e.g. very high cliffs, shallow water crossings, severe environmental exposure, open roads). The route will be fully waymarked. While the course and pace is suitable for beginners, you should be a confident long distance runner/hiker, capable of making safe, smart decisions about your own health, safety and physical limits.
All mandatory kit must be carried in your running vest or backpack throughout the event.
Waterproof jacket with sealed seams (minimum 10,000mm waterproof rating, e.g. Gore-Tex)
Waterproof trousers
Long-sleeved base layer (packed separately in a dry bag for emergencies)
Water bottle or bladder with minimum 1.5L capacity
Fully charged mobile phone with Race HQ numbers saved, in a waterproof bag/cover
Foil blanket or bivvy bag
Whistle
Headtorch (to be used regardless of lighting conditions after 20.00 for road safety)
Red rear light and/or reflective patch visible on the back of your vest or pack
Cup for aid stations
500-calorie emergency food supply
Basic first aid kit (plasters, alcohol wipes, tube bandage, dressing tape etc)
Recommended Kit
Sunscreen
Smidge or other midge repellent
Salt tablets/electrolytes
Sunhat (there’s very little shade on some sections of the course!)
Trail Shoes are highly recommended
We know it sounds like a lot for a June race, but Assynt has a habit of throwing all four seasons at you in a single day.
Navigation & Route Access
All runners must have access to the course route, either:
via the GPX file available through the Strava route:
https://www.strava.com/routes/3455481907426389636
or as a printed map/route sheet.
This will be checked at registration and is a condition of racing. We’ll have a limited number of printed copies available, but please bring your own if possible.
We also strongly recommend downloading a trusted location app such as What3Words or OS Locate. As runners won’t be carrying electronic trackers, these apps are a really useful safety backup.
Your progress will be manually tracked by our volunteers at checkpoints and relayed back to Race HQ throughout the day.
The course will be fully waymarked using ribbon, flags, arrows and signage — but please don’t rely solely on markers.
Course Information
Please take some time to review the updated course route via the Strava link on the website.
The course includes:
single-track roads
rough trail
coastal footpaths
Expect wet ground in places and plan footwear accordingly.
Road sections remain open to traffic, and full road safety guidance will be covered during the race briefing.
Headphones are permitted, but we’d really appreciate them being removed during road sections for safety.
Aid Stations & Facilities
There will be four major aid stations providing hot food, drinks and first aid support.
Please note: CP1 will provide cold food only.
Toilets are available at six locations along the course, with no more than 13 miles between facilities.
Strict checkpoint cut-off times will apply and can be found here:
https://runrugged.co.uk/reach-the-beach-ultra
Runners missing cut-offs may be withdrawn from the event.
We’ll also have a small self-care treatment area with blister supplies to help keep everyone moving comfortably.
Participant Responsibility & Withdrawals
One of the special things about this event is the remote landscape you’ll be running through — but that also means runners need to take responsibility for their own wellbeing between checkpoints.
If you decide to withdraw from the event (DNF), you must report to checkpoint staff or Race Control immediately.
Please remember: until Race Control confirms you are safely off the course, you remain our responsibility, and we don’t stop worrying about you.
Transport or collection from checkpoints may involve some waiting time depending on location and volunteer availability.
Race staff reserve the right to withdraw any participant if there are concerns about safety or wellbeing.
Medical & Welfare
First aid support will be available at checkpoints and via mobile event personnel along the route.
Teams will be monitoring runners for signs of:
dehydration
exhaustion
heat illness
confusion
hypothermia
inability to continue safely
Basic first aid supplies will be available at checkpoints, but we strongly recommend runners are comfortable managing common issues themselves (blisters, cramps, hot spots etc.) as our medical teams may be dealing with emergencies elsewhere on the course.
Please remember — this is a rural and remote ultra. While first aiders and mountain rescue volunteers will be on standby, emergency response times can be significant, especially on trail sections.
If emergency care is required, runners would most likely be taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
Weather Conditions
Even in June, Assynt can deliver:
heat
strong winds
heavy rain
coastal fog
long exposure to the elements
Additionally, there is almost no tree cover on large sections of the route, so sun exposure can be a real issue - plan accordingly.
Additional welfare measures and extra water provision may be introduced during hot weather.
If conditions become severe, the event may need to be modified, delayed or cancelled.
Communications & Safety
All runners must carry a mobile phone with Race Director contact numbers saved.
Runners found on course without a charged mobile phone will be disqualified. This is as much for our staff safety as yours.
Most of the course has signal coverage, although a few isolated sections may have limited signal.
Race HQ will operate from Assynt Leisure Centre, with Stoer Village Hall acting as a secondary operational base.
Marshal Volunteers Needed
Like all small events, we can always use a few extra helping hands.
If friends or family are travelling with you and would be interested in marshalling or helping out during the day, please let us know — we’ll keep them well supplied with tea, coffee, food and appreciation.
Charity Finishers Shirts
Exclusive Reach the Beach 2026 technical shirts are now available on the website (https://runrugged.co.uk/store). 100% of the profits from these shirts goes to the local charities that support our events, so buying one genuinely helps keep these races going. Plus, they look awesome, and give you full bragging rights at your next parkrun!
Thanks again for supporting a small independent event. We know there are lots of races out there, and it genuinely means a lot that you’ve chosen to spend your weekend with us in Assynt.
We’re looking forward to seeing you all on the start line for what should be a brilliant day on the trails.
There'll be more info coming your way over the next month, but if you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to email us and we'll do our best to answer.
Oliver & Paul
Race Directors
Run Rugged Events Ltd
