Moray Dog Sports Castle Carnival 

Moray Dog Sports are proud to invite you to our Gordon Castle race weekend 
8th-9th February 2025 

Canicross, Bikejor & Scooter races through the beautiful Gordon Castle Estate and nearby Deer Park. £30 entry fee includes racing on BOTH days within your chosen category. 

WANT TO TO RACE THEM ALL???
Sign up for one class (canicross / bikejor / scooter) then receive £10 discount on each additional timed class entered (not applicable to recreational or junior class).
IMPORTANT - All entries must be placed in to your basket and purchased together for the discount/s to be valid. Discounts will not be applied to entries added at a later date.

Juniors race for free!

WEEKEND OVERVIEW:

The Moray Dog Sports Castle Carnival is a two-day race taking place over mixed terrain. You can expect a mix of fire-tracks, paths & grass over our 5km trail (2.9km for juniors) - all of which can be described as ‘beginner friendly’. 
There will be a variety of things to race for; individual two-day combined results; an inter-club trophy; and a mixed-discipline relay race.

The following classes will be offered (these may be further broken down, dependent on class entries):
- Mixed Scooter (Up to 2 dogs)
- Men’s Bikejor
- Women’s Bikejor
- Men’s Canicross Senior / Masters
- Women’s Canicross Senior / Masters
- Junior Canicross (mixed)

Schedule (All times TBC): 
Friday 7th Feb – Arrival
1200: Venue opens for arrival of campers
1300: Trail open for inspection (on foot only, no wheels)
1900-2030: Race registration open

Entrance to the venue can be found HERE

Camping will cost £5 per night (cash paid on arrival) with all proceeds going to United Gordon Setter Rehoming and Support. 

Saturday 8th Feb – Race 1 
All disciplines will compete in a staggered start, timed race over a 5km course (2.9km for juniors). Please read the information on ‘Seeded Starts’ below. 

0700 – 0800: Race registration open
0800: Race brief 
0900: Scooter
0930: Bikejor  
1015: Canicross
1130: Junior classes 
1200: Recreational class*
1800: Evening entertainment – a fun quiz (BYOB) will be held in Gordon Castle’s fabulous function room – The Orangery.

*The recreational class will be a non-competitive, untimed class help on the junior trail, but you will still benefit from the safety of marshals. You will receive a starting time for the recreational class and we’ll await you returning before marshals leave the trail, making sure you get around safely. 

Sunday 9th Feb – Race 2 
Again this will be a staggered start over the 5km course (2.9km for juniors), with start times based on results from race 1.

0900: Scooter
0930: Bikejor
1015: Canicross
1130: Junior classes
1215: Mixed discipline relay
1300: Prizegiving
1600: Campsite & car park close

Prize Giving: 
All finishers will receive a finishers medal. Additional prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd & 3rd male and female in each race category (subject too sufficient entries)

Spot prizes may also be awarded – more information prior to the race weekend. 
 

GENERAL INFORMATION / RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR ENTRY 

REGISTRATION
All competitors will be given a race number during one of the 2 registration windows (anyone entering multiple classes will receive a different number for each class). No registration, no race! As our volunteers are needed elsewhere throughouot the event we will be unable to keep registration open outside the advertised times. Please ensure you collect your number and attach it to the front of yourself, or your bike/scooter. Race results/timing is based on this race number and therefore it is vital we are able to see it. This will be your number for the whole weekend so please keep it safe between races. 

DOGS
All competitors are expected to run with a dog, but if your dog becomes injured or you believe they shouldn’t run for any other welfare reason, then you will be entitled to run without a dog, with permission from the race organiser. It is your responsibility to ensure by whatever means that the course is safe and suitable for you and your dog, bearing in mind speed, skill level, experience and weather conditions.
To take part in any timed event, on 8th February 2025 your dogs must be at least 12 months old for Canicross and 18 months old for bikejor / scooter. Dogs aged 10+ months are able to enter the recreational class.
Bitches in season are permitted to race. Whelping bitches are not to be brought on to the site, they deserve to be relaxing at home, in comfort.
Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times on site. The use of any device or implement prejudicial to the welfare of the dog shall not be used at any time.
Dogs will race in a suitable harness, attached via a bungee line, to their runner/equipment. If you do not have these pieces of equipment, then please contact the race organiser prior to entering, as they may be able to hire equipment for the weekend.
Dogs may race in a muzzle, but it MUST be of a racing style, to allow sufficient breathing/panting. If you need help or advice on this topic, then please contact the race organiser who will be happy to help.
Dogs should not be brought on site (or raced) if they are coughing or have recently been in contact with any infectious disease. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure their dog is fit and healthy before racing. If in doubt consult your vet. 
A dog may only run in one 5km class per day. If you believe your dog is fit and happy, then they may also enter the 2.5km junior or relay class 

AGE GROUPS 
Age categories are based on the human competitor’s age on the 8^th Feb 2025. The organiser has the right to split or combine age gender/groups/classes based on numbers entered. Our age groups, subject to entries will be Juniors 7-10, Juniors 11-15, Seniors (16-40), Masters (40+). 

SEEDED STARTS
Race starts are staggered in either 1 minute or 30 second intervals (class dependent) to give competitors enough time to safely start with their dog and minimise overtaking. The race organiser will endeavor to appropriately order competitors for Race 1, but you will be asked to give an approximate 5km completion time, to help with this process. You will start in the order given by the race organiser unless previously agreed and amended on the start list. Race 2 starting order will be purely based on results from Race 1. 

BORROWED DOGS
It is presumed that you are running with your own dog. If you must borrow a dog to race with you should be familiar with each other, have trained together prior to the race, the handler should be aware of the dogs behavior in a race environment and be responsible for its care throughout the event. You will not be permitted to race with a borrowed dog that you have only just met.  

CHILDREN
Runners age 7 - 10, on the 8th Feb 2025 must be accompanied by an adult 18+, on foot (no bikes), WHO IS KNOWN TO THE CHILD and is also attached to the dog. 11 - 15 year olds can run alone but may have an adult with them if desired. The adult is there for safety only and the child must handle the dog themselves. The child and dog should cross the finish line first, before the accompanying adult. It is presumed that children will be running a family dog, if they must borrow a dog to race with it should be of a suitable size and strength that the child could handle the dog alone. All juniors should be able to show the organisers that they are able to handle the dog themselves.  

INSURANCE
The race will be covered by event/public liability insurance. However, all participants and spectators attend the event and run at their own risk. 

CANCELLATION
Should the race have to be cancelled or postponed for reason beyond the organisers control, or in the event of bad weather making the course too dangerous to run / ride, the organisers reserve the right to use entry fees to cover expenses already incurred, before using any remaining moneys to refund entrants. Details of how to claim a refund will be emailed to all entrants if necessary. NOTE -  it is the entrant's responsibility to check the race is still on before traveling, the organisers will post on the Facebook event page, and email all entrants if there are any last-minute changes. Please check your email before traveling. 

FACILITIES
We are very fortunate to be able to use this fantastic venue. Please ensure you clean up after your dog in all areas of the estate and forest. Anyone refusing to clean up after their dog will receive immediate disqualification and will be asked to leave the venue. Dogs must be kept on lead at all times, in all areas of the venue including the car park and campsite. 
Portaloo type toilets will be provided at the campsite / parking area, and near the start line. These should not be used as washrooms and the small sinks are for hand washing only. Please bring a suitable change of clothes, towels, wet wipes etc. Ensuring any rubbish or used items are taken away with you.   
 
CAMPING
Available on Friday and Saturday night at a cost of £5 per pitch, per night. On arrival at the venue you will be directed to your camping area. Dogs must not be left unattended staked outside and it is expected that dogs will not be allowed to dig.

SAFETY
Please listen carefully to the race briefing and marshal's instructions. If your dog(s) are likely to be noisy and excited, please do not bring them to the race briefing so that everyone can clearly hear all safety instructions. 
Human and Canine first aiders are on duty at the event. Please contact any of our volunteers if you or your dog are in need of help.  
  
EMERGENCY VET: Speyside Veterinary Practice, Balnacoul Croft, Mosstodloch, IV32 7LL.
Tel 01343 820898 

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Organisers:  
Moray Dog Sports. Contact Jess at moraydogsports@gmail.com