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RACE DETAILS
Welcome to The Gralloch, a true gravel classic and a UCI Gravel World Series event set in the breathtaking landscapes of Southwest Scotland. This race isn’t just about speed—it’s a test of grit, endurance, and skill on some of the finest gravel terrain in the UK. Riders will face a relentless mix of climbs, fast descents, and rugged trails, all leading to an unforgettable finish in Gatehouse of Fleet.
This page covers key race details, including what’s included in your entry, rider classifications, start times, Feed Zones, key course details, and more. Whether you're chasing a podium spot or a qualifying place for the UCI Gravel World Championships, it’s time to prepare for a race like no other.
The Route
Get ready for a true gravel classic—a course that embodies the raw, untamed spirit of the sport. The Gralloch isn’t just a race; it’s a battle against relentless gravel, where every climb tests your endurance and every descent demands your skill. Twisting through the rugged heart of Galloway, this is where legends are made—where the bold charge ahead, and only the strongest prevail. Will you conquer the course, or will the course conquer you?
The official UCI race route covers 111km and 1,761m of climbing. Start and finish is at Garries Park in the heart of Gatehouse of Fleet. With over 80% gravel, it showcases every breathtaking corner of Galloway Forest Park.
What's included in your enrty
FUlly signposted routes
The incredible route is fully signposted so you can focus
on your race and not worry about going the wrong way. GPX files for the route are also available.
MORE THAN JUST A RACE
Gravel is about much more than racing. Enjoy up to three days of celebration with the gravel and adventure community.
FEED ZONES
Three feed zones span the race route. Each stocked with a variety of water, energy drink mix, nutritional bars and fruit. You'll also find a Tech Zone with a selection of spares and tools.
off-bike experience
Prepare for a stellar line-up of panel talks, shake out rides, live music, entertainment and much more throughout the weekend.
mechanical support
Gravel racing can be tough on your bike so we’ve got a
team of experienced mechanics on hand in the Event Village to help make sure your bike is ready for the challenge.
Event Village ACCESS
Enjoy the amazing event village in the heart of Gatehouse of Fleet. Packed with food vendors, expo stalls and off-bike activities.
TECH BOXES
The Gralloch race route will feature several Tech Boxes strategically positioned around the course containing tools and spares to help you in a mechanical emergency.
BIKE WASH
Ensure your bike is squeaky clean after your gravel adventure by using the complimentary professional bike wash facilities provided by our friends at Fenwick's.
Start times & WAVES
All races are mass-start with riders sub-divided into pens based on their age and gender group. There will be a time gap between the start of each pen (some start pens may be merged before the start and set off together based on their small volume of rider). Riders must start from the correct pen for their age and gender category or risk being disqualified. Start pens for all age groups are located in the Event Village in Garries Park.
To manage the large volume of riders and to guarantee fair and safe racing for all, the start pens are further split into three separate groups.
START A
Pens open from 8:45am. Race starts from 9:15am.
Categories: Elite Men, Junior Men, 19-34 to 45-49 Men
START B
Pens open from 9:30am. Race starts from 9:50am.
Categories: All 50+ Men, All 70+ Women
START C
Pens open from 10:30am. Race starts from 11:00am.
Categories: Elite Women, Junior Women, 19-34 to 65-69 Women
*All start times and allocation of categories to START A, B and C is subject to change and will be confirmed closer to the event, once final rider numbers for each category are known.
FEED ZONES
The route features three feed zones located at 29.1km, 61.1km and 87.1km. Each will have the right nutrition and drinks waiting for you to keep you moving and performing at your best.
The Feed Zones will feature a selection of sports nutrition, water, energy drink mix, bananas and other nutrition products to keep you fuelled.
Each stop will also feature a 'Tech Zone' with a selection of spares and tools plus a workstand to allow you to fix any mechanical issues.
Further details will be published in the Event Guide close to event weekend.
CLASSIFICATIONS
All participants will race against their contemporaries in age and gender groups (or in the elite category). Allocation to an age group is decided by a rider’s age on 31st December 2025. Categories are as follows (with separate Men and Women's categories for each):
Elite, Junior*, 19-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and any further 5 year group for which a rider has registered.
Each age group is identified by a uniquely coloured background on their rider number. The bottom of the number is coloured either navy (for Men) or light blue (for Women) and the A, B or C in the bottom right corner indicates if your start time is part of START A, B or C.
*The Junior races are not part of the UCI Gravel World Series
TIMING & RESULTS
All timing and results are determined by electronic timing using a timing chip attached to the fork of your bike.
All riders in the same start pen will receive the same “time of day” (Gun time) start time. Gun time is your time from when the start gun/horn goes off until you cross the finish line. All results in your age group and for qualification calculations are determined by your gun time. The three fastest riders across the finish line in each category will be invited to the podium presentations.
NO OUTSIDE
ASSISTANCE
No outside assistance is permitted. When it comes to drinks, nutrition and mechanical issues riders may not receive assistance from any person other than event staff or other riders.
ELITE CATEGORY
The UCI have introduced an Elite Category at every round of the UCI Gravel World Series.
There is an Elite Category for both men and women and each will have their own start pen.
Participants in this race may only qualify for the Elite Category at the UCI Gravel World Championships. If a rider wishes to qualify for Worlds in their age group they must enter their age group race at The Gralloch - NOT the Elite Category.
To enter the Elite category at The Gralloch riders MUST hold a race licence bearing a UCI ID number. You will need to enter your UCI ID when registering and your licence will be checked on arrival at the race.
Racers who ride for a UCI registered team must register for the Elite category.
No. If sign up and start in the Elite category and don’t qualify in the Elite category, you can’t claim qualification in your age group instead, even if your finish time would be within the top 25% of your age category.
Yes. Please follow the instructions here.
JUNIOR RACE
The Junior Race is our way of supporting the next generation of gravel racers, giving young riders the chance to experience the thrill of The Gralloch on a challenging yet achievable course. It’s all about building skills, confidence, and a passion for racing on Scotland’s world-class gravel terrain.
The Junior race will NOT be part of the UCI Gravel World Series and you can’t qualify for the Worlds, but Junior racers will start in their own pens, racing the same course and distance as all other racers! There will also be a podium presentation for the Junior Race.
To qualify you must be at least 16 on the day of the event, and no more than 18 on 31st December 2025.
WORLD CHAMPS
QUALIFICATION
As part of the UCI Gravel World Series The Gralloch is a qualifying event for the UCI Gravel World Championships in October 2025.
To qualify for the World Championships you must be among the top 25% in your age group, of those riders that started. Your time is taken from the moment the gun/horn sounds for your age group wave to start.
All riders who qualify for the World Championships can collect their UCI Gravel World Series medal on race day in the Event Village.
cut-offs
Due to road closures and for rider safety it is necessary for all riders to complete sections of the course within a predetermined time. To ensure this there will be a cut off point where competitors will be asked to take a shortcut (to rejoin the route at a later stage) should they arrive after the indicated times. The cut-off location is at the 67.9KM and riders must reach this point by 4:15PM. If a rider arrives after this time they will be sent on a short-cut and rejoin the race route at 87.6KM.
Impacted riders will be ranked accordingly based on their position in the race when they reached the cut-off point. The finish-line cut-off is at 7:15PM.
Optional bag drop
Take advantage of our convenient bag drop service to make your ride hassle-free!
Simply leave a bag with us at the start, and we’ll keep it safe while you’re out racing. Whether you need a change of clothes, extra gear, or some post-ride essentials, your bag will be ready and waiting when you return.
RIDER INSURANCE
All Gralloch riders, regardless of your gravel experience will need third-party liability insurance to participate (this is a UCI Gravel World Series regulation).
This means you and the riders around you are covered in the event of a crash.
Save when you're insured by Bikmo
That's why we've partnered with specialist cycling insurers Bikmo to offer you the exact protection you need with an additional 5% discount.
Where to stay
Discover the perfect place to stay in the South of Scotland, where a wide variety of accommodation options await.
For the best-value option, don’t miss out on our official event campsite on the outskirts of Gatehouse of Fleet—just a short walk from the Event Village. Immerse yourself in The Gralloch experience with convenient access to all the weekend’s activities and stunning surroundings.
There are also plenty of family-run country inns, cosy B&Bs, unique boutique hotels, remote eco-lodges, scenic campsites, and even luxurious castle hotels.
EVENT Programme
Get ready for an action-packed weekend! Our event programme is filled with exciting activities, including inspiring panel talks, scenic shake-out rides, live music, entertainment, and much more.
Whether you’re here to ride, connect, or just soak up the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout The Gralloch weekend.
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