Run Balmoral 2025 – Saturday Highlights
Run Balmoral 2025 – Sunday Highlights
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Message from the Chair
After another very successful race weekend in 2025, I’m delighted to announce that entries for Run Balmoral 2026 (Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th April) is open.
Like any other major event, Run Balmoral could not happen without its sponsors. On behalf of Balmoral Road Races Ltd, I would like to thank McIntosh Plant Hire (1.5km Primary Schools Race), RAM Tubulars (2.5km Secondary Schools Race), Harbour Energy (5K), Stena Drilling (10K), the John Clark Motor Group (Devil of Deeside), Tidy Green Clean (Photo/Videography), Run4it (Retail) and VSA (Gold Charity Partner) for their continued support of our event.
I would also like to extend thanks and a very warm welcome to James & George Collie as the newest member of our Run Balmoral family of sponsors. The well-known local solicitors and estate agents will be supporting our 15-mile offroad challenge on Sunday, now to be known as the ‘James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail
Race’.
Next year’s event will signal the start of a new five-year series of specially designed medals. While the last series featured well-known landmarks in and around the Balmoral Estate, this new series will feature its wonderful wildlife. We will reveal which animal (or bird!) will be gracing our first medal later this year.
But a new series of medals isn’t the only change happening next spring. As part of our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment, our eco-friendly event t-shirts – featuring one design for our schools races and one for our main races – will be an optional extra, to be added at registration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Balmoral Estate next Easter for another fantastic weekend of running for the whole family.
James Knowles
Chair, Balmoral Road Races Ltd, October 2025
Run Balmoral 2025 Annual Report
Run Balmoral 2025 was another great success with 4299 runners taking part out of an overall entry of 5126,
representing an 84% turnout, which is excellent. We were also treated to some wonderful individual performances with four course records being broken. Sean Chalmers enjoyed a double success with wins in the Harbour Energy 5k and the Stena Drilling 10k, while it was amazing to watch Millie Glass Park smashing her own record in the MPH Primary School Girls’ 1.5k, while Nathan Lawson set a new standard in the RAM Tubulars Secondary School Boys’ 2.5k. These are outstanding athletes, but we admire each and every one of the runners who participated in the series of races over the
weekend. They are all winners. Discover the full story of triumph and future aspirations in our comprehensive annual report (pdf 39.9MB).
Run Balmoral 2025 Event Programme
Each year we produce an Event Programme with a summary of the event, so if you would like to find out more you can download the pdf here. Download it to your phone for quick reference on the event weekend.
Saturday Events
Stena Drilling 10K
The Stena Drilling 10K takes you through some beautiful Highland scenery on the Balmoral Estate and will be clearly marked and well marshalled.
Harbour Energy 5K
The Harbour Energy 5K all takes place on estate tarmac roads. The race begins heading west from the Castle adjacent the river Dee to a turn point at the Highland Pony Stud. There is a slight incline as the route returns to the castle via the “top road” which has magnificent views of Balmoral Castle and gardens.
MPH Primary Schools Run 1.5k
The race where some of our national and International runners started! The race is completely contained on tarmac roads in the estate and passes right in front of Balmoral Castle! Well marshalled and signed throughout with a lead cyclist and sweep runner. The race starts and finishes at the main finish gantry.
RAM Tubulars Secondary Schools 2.5k
Once past primary School age many of our runners graduate to the 2.5K event. The race is completely contained on tarmac roads in the estate and passes right in front of Balmoral Castle! Well marshalled and signed throughout with a lead cyclist and sweep runner. The race starts and finishes at the main finish gantry.
Sunday Events
James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race
An epic 15 miles of Highland scenery. There is something special about this event! You start in view of Balmoral Castle and run out west adjacent the magnificent river Dee before beginning a gradual climb through the Ballochbuie pine forest. Then at mile 8, you leave the river and begin a climb to the base of Lochnagar, an ascent of about 120 meters. The last 3 miles are a rush as you hurtle down towards the Castle once again; but beware..there is a sting in the tail!
Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race
Get ready for a thrilling test of endurance! This two-lap course takes you along the stunning banks of the River Dee before sending you uphill on a tough 2-mile climb gaining 350 metres each lap. The reward? A fast, exhilarating mile-long descent back to the start. With a mix of tarmac, track and grass, this is the ultimate all-terrain challenge!
Weekend Challenges
John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside
Can you handle the John Clark Motor Group Devil O Deeside? To dance with the Devil you have to complete the Stena Drilling 10K, Harbour Energy 5K, James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race and the Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race! There will be two categories of winner; male with the fastest overall cumulative time and female with the fastest cumulative time. That’s it!
Stena Drilling / Harbour Energy Corporate Team Challenge
Corporate Challenge Trophy The StenaDrilling – Harbour Energy Corporate Team Challenge is an exciting competition embodied within RunBalmoral. It provides a wonderful opportunity for you to get together with your work / colleagues to compete for the magnificent team trophy to be awarded to the RunBalmoral Corporate Team Challenge Champions.
Support Women’s Health Research at the University of Aberdeen
Friends of the Neonatal Unit is the official charity of Aberdeen Maternity Hospital’s Neonatal Unit for premature and sick babies.
The FOS Group has been formed by engineering experts Apollo and offshore construction specialists AquaTerra to give our clients in the North Sea a simpler, smarter alternative to delivering projects on and offshore for the oil and gas business.
We're delighted to welcome back Kayleigh's Wee Stars as a bronze charity partner for Run Balmoral 2026! 🏃🏃
Since their foundation, Kayleigh's Wee Stars has raised over a million pounds to help ease the financial burden of families spending precious time with their terminally ill children.
With your support at events like Run Balmoral, Kayleigh's Wee Stars can help even more brave families make memories when it matters.
👉 To learn more about their work, or to join their fundraising team, visit www.kayleighsweestars.co.uk or drop them a line at info@kayleighsweestars.co.uk
📅 4th & 5th April 2026
👉 www.runbalmoral.com
❗Want to join KWS, VSA and Marie Curie UK as one of Run Balmoral's official charity partners? The last day to apply is 31 January 2026. Contact info@runbalmoral.com for more info! ... See MoreSee Less
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⏰ JUST 10 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL RUN BALMORAL 2026 ⏰
Have you booked your place yet?
SATURDAY, 4th April 2026
🏃 McIntosh Plant Hire Primary Schools 1.5km Race (up to age 12)
🏃 RAM Tubulars Secondary Schools 2.5km Race (ages 11-15)
🏃Harbour Energy 5k (11+)
🏃 Stena Drilling 10k (16+)
🏆 Harbour Energy-Stena Drilling Run Balmoral Corporate Challenge (5k & 10k)
SUNDAY, 5th April 2026
🏃 Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race (15+)
🏃 James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race (18+)
BOTH DAYS
😈 John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge (5k, 10k, 6M, 15M)
📅 4th & 5th April 2026
👉 www.runbalmoral.com
Balmoral Castle VisitAberdeenshire VisitCairngorms Trail Runner magazine Runner's World #runbalmoral #balmoralcastle #trailrunningscotland #scottishcastle #runbalmoral2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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Are there still spaces available for the Sunday 15mile trail race?
Oh jeezx - I was meant to be out doing 9 miles today on my training plan but have the chesty cough from hell so not going to get out this weekend. Oh well, a bit of strength tomorrow it is then
Rachel Gent 10 weeks 😱
Graham - on the agenda to discuss tomorrow. ☺️
Looking forward to it while on our travels from Brisbane Australia 👍
Hannah Mitchell Cara Mckenzie Ciara Anderson are we still doing this?
Sandra
Mark Crawford
Jacqui Parry
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⏰ LAST CALL FOR CHARITY PARTNERS FOR 2026 ⏰
With just over 10 weeks to go until Run Balmoral, we'll be closing applications for our 2026 charity partnerships at the end of January.
If your charity would like to have a presence at our event for fundraising, fun and a fantastic weekend, please get in touch ASAP at info@runbalmoral.com!
📅 4th & 5th April 2026
👉 www.runbalmoral.com
❗Applications for charity partnerships close 31 January 2026
VSA Marie Curie UK Kayleigh's Wee Stars Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance - SCAA #runbalmoral #fundraising #fundraisingscotland #charityrunning #scottishcharities Clan Cancer Support Balmoral Castle ... See MoreSee Less
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❗ONLY 40 PLACES LEFT IN THE 2026 DEVIL OF DEESIDE CHALLENGE ... AND WHEN THEY'RE GONE, THEY'RE GONE❗
😈 John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge = Harbour Energy 5k, Stena Drilling 10k (Saturday) + Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race + the James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race (Sunday) 😈
📅 4th & 5th April 2026
👉 www.runbalmoral.com
John Clark Motor Group Balmoral Castle Run ABC Scotland Run4It Run Aberdeen #devilofdeeside #runbalmoral ... See MoreSee Less
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I cannot recommend running the devil highly enough. Such a great challenge and experience. Loved every race. If you are thinking of doing it dont think... just do it!
Poster girl of the year!!! Yeehaa
Make your miles (or kilometres!) at Run Balmoral count this Easter! Run for one of our official charities: VSA and Marie Curie UK.
Charity places with VSA are now available! Contact them directly for more information.Join VSA at Run Balmoral 2026!
Taking place over the weekend of April 4/5th, we are delighted to have charity places available for the scenic 5K and 10K races.
Run Balmoral is a fun occasion for all the family and enables you to help raise vital funds in aid of our services.
Availability is limited so don’t miss out - Register today at vsa.org.uk/runbalmoral ... See MoreSee Less
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We don't need an excuse to show you Harry Chalmers' AMAZING design for the Run Balmoral 2026 junior shirts again, but ...
❗The deadline to order t-shirts to receive with your race packs and wear on race weekend is TOMORROW, Thursday, 15 January 2026❗
👕 Orders made from FRIDAY, 16 January 2026 onwards will be delivered AFTER the event. 👕
PLEASE NOTE: In order to reduce waste, there will be NO option to buy or exchange shirts on site on race weekend or 'finishers' shirts distributed. We'll only be producing what runners order online. The closing date for online orders will be advised later.
📅 4th & 5th April 2026
👉Enter and order your tshirts on www.runbalmoral.com
Balmoral Castle Run ABC Scotland VisitAberdeenshire VisitCairngorms Aberdeenshire Council Aberdeen Sports Village Running The Highlands Live Life Aberdeenshire Ellon Academy Community Campus ... See MoreSee Less
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‼️👕 Orders for event t-shirts arriving in time for race weekend CLOSE on Thursday, 15 January! 👕‼️#runbalmoral2026 @balmoral_castle @run4it_ @runabcscotland @kronosportsuk Order now on www.runbalmoral.com! ... See MoreSee Less
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Is this a different Tshirt to the finisher ones?
🏃JUST THREE MONTHS TO GO UNTIL RUN BALMORAL 2026! 🏃
Still deciding which race to run? With 13 weeks left to go, there's still plenty of time to train for any of our amazing challenges:
Saturday: Harbour Energy 5k (11+), Stena Drilling 10k (16+)
Sunday: Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race (15+), James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race (18+)
📅 4 & 5 April 2026
👉 www.runbalmoral.com
❗Last day to order an event t-shirt to wear on race day: 15 January 2026
VisitAberdeenshire VisitCairngorms Run ABC Scotland Run4It Balmoral Castle
#runbalmoral #runbalmoral2026 #balmoralestate ... See MoreSee Less
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Drew Stewart