Kirkcudbright Half Marathon set to mark 40th anniversary
This is the first year of the event under new organisers
Last updated 27th May 2023
Kirkcudbright Half Marathon is back for its 40th year on Saturday 27th May, with new organisers Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities taking the helm with the help of the local Rotary club.
The change comes after longstanding organisers Kirkcudbright Academy opted out of coordinating the event, causing some locals to worry the half marathon may not continue.
Chairman of Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities John Blaikie says: “We thought it would be a shame to see it fall by the wayside, so ourselves with some help from the Rotary decided we would go ahead and put it on”
“We didn’t want to see it stopped.”
Several changes have been made ahead of the event, with runners set to take to a new challenging route, which organisers describe as ‘more scenic’.
Other changes to the format include the inclusion of Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities' Buckland Burnup on Saturday. The Burnup is an annual 5-mile race, which has been moved to fall on the same day as the marathon, and will cover some of the same route.
John Blaikie says bringing together the two annual events has been relatively straight forward: “We’ve run the Buckland Burnup for a good number of years. All we’ve really done is added the half marathon in."
"We changed the date of the Buckland Burnup to coincide with the date the half marathon always is, it’s always bank holiday weekend at the end of May.”
Something for everyone
In addition to the half marathon and 5-mile Buckland Burnup, a 1km junior race and toddler dash will also take place. Those who prefer a slower pace also have the option to enter the half marathon as a walker with an earlier start time.
Pleased to be making sure the popular event continues, organisers say the race is a great way to bring people into the town: “People have been coming for a number of years to take part in the half marathon. They come from all over. They come to the town, they enjoy being here and there are other things for them to do as well.”
Spectators are encouraged to head along, with plenty of activities and refreshments on hand. Half marathon runners will set off at 11am, with the Buckland Burnup starting at 11:30am.