How far is the MTC Kelpie?

The MTC Kelpie is one distance: 38 Mile (61.2 km).

How much climbing is in the MTC Kelpie?

The 38 Mile has 319 m of ascent.

How hard is the MTC Kelpie?

38 Mile: Expert. TRP grades come from distance and climb measured off the course file, not from the organiser.

Is the MTC Kelpie course marked?

No. The MTC Kelpie is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.

What are the cut-offs for the MTC Kelpie?

Overall time limits — 38 Mile: 6h 30m. Also Scotland day 9 of the Mount to Coast end to end challenge.

Can I download the MTC Kelpie route?

Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.

Ultra Running Ltd MTC Kelpie

Inver Caravan Park, KW6 6EJSun, 4 Jun 2028

Dunbeath to John O Groats, 38.0 miles.

38 Mile

61 km

319 m ascent

5 m per km

6h 30m cut-off

6:23/km to make it

roadNavigation required

Nobody has reviewed this one yet

No reviews of the MTC Kelpie, and nothing on what people wore. Both are things no organiser publishes and every runner wants before they enter — how it actually went, and what was on your feet.

Ran it? Write the first review

Running it soon? Connect Strava and we will ask you about it the day you finish, so you do not have to remember to come back.

The course

Loading map…

EXPERT

TRP grade · E5·T1

6h 30m cut-off, which needs 6:23/km

6 checkpoints

Start time not confirmed yet — check with the organiser.

Download GPXFree, no sign-up.

This file is from a previous running and the course may have changed since. If you are navigating with it, get the current version from Ultra Running Ltd first.

What you’re in for

The last day of the Scotland end to end: 38 miles from Dunbeath up the Caithness coast through Wick to John o' Groats and the signpost. Dunbeath to John o' Groats: 61.4km and 319m of climb, with six checkpoints on the way. It is day 9 of the Scotland end to end, and you can run it on its own or as part of the whole. The flattest Scottish stage, and the one with the sea on your right the whole way. Mount to Coast rules apply on the single day as on the series: preset cut-offs based on a minimum 4 mph average, a warning the first time you fall below it, and no one on the course after ten at night. Checkpoints roughly every eight miles, a tracker with an SOS button, and maps and GPX for entrants only — bring a map case.

Terrain and trail

The organiser supplies road shoes for the series, which tells you most of what you need to know about the ground: quiet road, cycle path and the odd stretch of towpath or track, almost all of it hard-surfaced. The difficulty is the distance and the day after, not the terrain.

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Cut-offs

Also Scotland day 9 of the Mount to Coast end to end challenge.

How to enter

Sun, 4 Jun 2028 · Not open yet

No entry link yet. Check Ultra Running Ltd’s site ↗

Add to your calendar · as an all-day entry, until the start time is confirmed

Common questions

: The MTC Kelpie is one distance: 38 Mile (61.2 km).
: The 38 Mile has 319 m of ascent.
: 38 Mile: Expert. TRP grades come from distance and climb measured off the course file, not from the organiser.
: No. The MTC Kelpie is not a marked course. You are expected to navigate it yourself.
: We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the MTC Kelpie. Ultra Running Ltd confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.
: Overall time limits — 38 Mile: 6h 30m. Also Scotland day 9 of the Mount to Coast end to end challenge.
: We don't hold a checkpoint list for the MTC Kelpie. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the Ultra Running Ltd race information rather than turning up expecting food.
: Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.
: Sun, 4 Jun 2028. Not open yet.