Slow Marathon 2016

About

Slow Marathon celebrates the human pace. It is both an endurance event, attracting walkers from all walks of life, and a poetic act, bringing art and walking together. It is now an annual event, originating in 2012 when the first Slow Marathon was planned by Ethiopian artist Mihret Kebede.

Slow Marathon 2016 is a 26 mile/42 km along the River Deveron. The route is inspired by artist Anne Murray and musician Jake Williams through the With and Against the Flow project.

Rivers have always proved to be magnets for people, particularly walkers using banks as a resting point or place of reflection. Rivers cross borders and shape cultural landscapes, fulfilling a special role in tradition, history and art. Nowhere else is the species' richness as large as on the waterfront, with rivers being carriers of myths and legends. Lifelines for people and nature: rivers and their natural floodplains provide diverse habitats for many plant and animal species and are centres of biodiversity. Through trade and transport routes, rivers have always allowed access to the outside world. We use them for industrial production, for electricity generation, for cleansing and for leisure. As such, they are often regulated, straightened and dammed. Excessive use of rivers has endangered their operation, seen in recent times in our and other parts of the world.

The discussion on rivers on Sunday 17 April will reflect our use of water, and the shaping of landscape and culture for walkers and others.

Fri 15 April, 7pm: Gordon Arms Hotel, The Square, Huntly: registration and explanation of route
Sat 16 April, 6.45am: meet Huntly Square  
Sun 17 April, 11am: River Talks and Discussion; venue tbc

Tickets
Early Bird ticket (first 50): £25
Regular tickets: £35
Book Tickets
Before booking please download and read the info pack. Make sure you read our walking guide.

FAQs
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
Please enter your age in the booking form. If you are under 18 you must be accompanied by an adult.

What are my transport/parking options getting to Huntly?
There are bus and train connections from Aberdeen and Inverness to Huntly.

What should I bring to the event? What happens if I am injured or tired and can not finish the full stretch of the 26 mile route?
Please make sure you bring all the things listed in the information pack.

If you feel you have to finish earlier, you can call a taxi to pick you up. In the case of an accident you need to call emergency
services. However, you must call our office to make sure that we de-register you.

Where can I contact the organiser with any questions? How can I update my registration details?
Keep an eye on our facebook and website for updates. If you have a question or want to update your details, give us a ring on: 01466 794494.

Can I start en route, or be picked up by the bus on another point on the route?
Sorry, we can only accept walkers who start in Huntly Square at 6.45am on the Saturday 16 April.

Do I have to come on the Friday night 7pm for registration? 
Yes, please. You must register on friday night, when we will tell you about the route, all safety measurements and hand out the maps. It is not possible to register on Saturday morning or before friday night.

Can my ticket be refunded?
Sorry, we have kept the fee as low as we can. Hence we can not accommodate refunds.

The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?
No, the person registered is the person entered in the Slow Marathon.

Can I bring a dog?
Sorry, this is lambing time and lots of lifestock on the route.