We are very pleased to announce that entries have now opened for Run Balmoral 2025. The event will take place over the weekend of April 26-27.
And, in a major move towards improving our sustainability objectives, Run Balmoral 2025 will contribute to one of the biggest nature restoration projects ever undertaken in the Cairngorms.
The River Dee Trust conservation charity has committed to planting a million native trees along the riverbank between now and 2035 as part of a massive scheme to help protect Atlantic salmon and other wildlife in and around the River Dee and its tributaries. The project was launched in 2020 and already over 460,000 native trees have been planted.
So, in 2025, instead of providing t-shirts to competitors, Run Balmoral will contribute one new tree for every runner who signs up to take part in our races. This means we could be planting more than 5,000 trees next year.
It’s something we have been aiming to do for some time and after discussion with our sponsors and listening to comments from runners, we feel this is the right decision to make.
We also have a new event for 2025, with the duathlon being replaced by a six-mile trail race on day two.
Our other popular races will remain: the MPH primary schools 1.5k, the RAM Tubulars secondary schools 2.5k, the Harbour Energy 5k, and the Stena Drilling 10k on the Saturday, followed by the new six-mile trail race and the Bristow 15-mile trail race on the Sunday.
And, of course, the John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside offers the ultimate challenge – with runners tackling the 5k, 10k, six-mile, and 15-mile races.
We will be awarding all runners with The fifth and final medal in our series depicting notable landmarks within and around the Balmoral Estate. In 2025, it will feature the Auld Brig o’Dee.
We’ll look forward to welcoming you to Run Balmoral next April. Make sure of your place by signing up today.
James Knowles
Chairman, Balmoral Road Races Ltd
Run Balmoral 2024 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.
Run Balmoral 2024 Event Information Leaflet
Balmoral Estate is approximately 50 miles West of Aberdeen, just off the A93 in scenic Royal Deeside and can be reached from the South on the A93 (Deeside Tourist Route) via Perth and Glenshee. Download the Event Information leaflet for more event info – find out more you can download the pdf here.
We are absolutely delighted to announce that Bilfinger UK is to sponsor the new 6 mile trail race at Run Balmoral 2025.
Sandy Bonner, President of Bilfinger Engineering and Maintenance UK, said: “We are excited to be part of this great community event. At Bilfinger, we believe in promoting health, wellness, and sustainability, and this event perfectly aligns with our values.
“The Bilfinger 6 Mile Trail Race is a new feature for 2025 and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of all participants who take on the course, which will be held in the spectacular surroundings of the Balmoral Estate with the famous Castle providing an excellent backdrop!”
Run Balmoral Chair James Knowles added: “We are thrilled to have Bilfinger on board as sponsor of our new six mile trail race next April and we’ll look forward to working closely with them to ensure the success of the event.”
The new event will also be part of the John Clark Devil of Deeside Challenge in which competitors tackle the Harbour Energy 5k and the Stena Drilling 10k on the Saturday followed by the Bilfinger 6 mile trail race and the Bristow 15 mile trail race on the Sunday. The winners are those wth the best cumulative times from the four races.
All races are held on traffic-free roads and trails, offering amazing views of the Deeside countryside and the Cairngorm mountains. Competitors in each run will receive a special medal featuring a local landmark, with the 2025 medal showcasing the Auld Brig o’Dee.
In a move towards sustainability, rather than issuing t-shirts, a significant contribution will be made to a tree planting project in the River Dee Valley.
The 2025 event takes place over the weekend of 26-27 April.
Run Balmoral 2024 Annual Report
Run Balmoral 2024 has once again surpassed expectations, drawing a record-breaking 4,302 runners to the scenic routes of Aberdeenshire. The event showcased extraordinary talent, with Scotland international Sean Chalmers clinching three race victories and Sally Wallis setting a new benchmark in the women’s Devil of Deeside competition. Looking ahead, Run Balmoral is committed to environmental stewardship, pledging to plant a tree for every participant in 2025, marking a shift towards sustainability. With the introduction of a new six-mile trail race and continued community and sponsor support, the event is a beacon of athletic excellence and ecological responsibility. Discover the full story of triumph and future aspirations in our comprehensive annual report (pdf 21.7MB).
A smaller, alternate download version of the report can be found here (pdf 3.4MB)
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
Bristow 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!
Bilfinger 6 Mile Trail Race
This exciting new event is held over a testing two-lap course which takes you along the banks of the River Dee before turning uphill. For 2 miles on each lap you will climb 350 metres before descending for a fast mile back to the start. It’s a mix of tarmac, track and grass, making this is a true all-
terrain event!
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, Bristow 15 Mile Trail race and the Bilfinger 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.
Have you got what it takes to become a Devil?
Then why not prove it by tackling the supreme test at Run Balmoral 2025?
The John Clark Devil of Deeside Challenge is one of Scotland's epic distance running competitions, testing your speed and endurance over two gruelling days.
It starts off on Saturday 26 April with the Harbour Energy 5k followed by the Stena Drilling 10k.
So far, so good.
Then, it's on to Sunday 27 April for the Bilfinger 6 mile trail race, before finishing off with the Bristow 15 mile trail race.
It's an epic adventure taking you to the far reaches of the Balmoral Estate and rewards you with the amazing satisfaction of having achieved something special. You will have earned the right to call yourself a true Devil.
Sign up today on www.runbalmoral.com
#runbalmoral2025
#scotlandrunning #beautifulruns
#trailrunning
#roadrunning
#runscotland #runningcommunity #bestrun
#runbalmoral
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Water station this year please, it's really important
Run Balmoral are there cut off times for the runs?
Dan Chan-no biking this year
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I'm going to cheat and take 2 x 4 words. Not sure this is advice but my dad always said "Just do your best". Then followed that with "...and a bit more". That little bit more can be a tough ask sometimes!
Don’t race every run!
Start...finish...don't die
Measure twice cut once
There has been a lot of snow around the country this week, just as there was in April 1998 when the first Balmoral races were held.
But that didn't prevent British distance running star Paula Radcliffe from setting a women's five mile road running world record.
So, don't let the snow slow you down.
Sign up now if you want to run in the footsteps of global stars such as Paula around the roads and trails of Balmoral Castle this April.
For full details, go to www.runbalmoral.com
#runbalmoral2025
##scotlandrunning #beautifulruns
#trailrunning
#roadrunning
#runscotland #runningcommunity #bestrun
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I remember watching Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Homes racing there, I think it was 2001?! 🤔
💥 ARE YOU READY? 🏃🏼♀️ 🏃🏻♂️
@runbalmoral is waiting for you!!!
Kick start this year by entering NOW
LINK IN THE BIO ⬆️
#runbalmoral2025 #run #race #balmoral #balmoralestate #runthehighlands #runthehills
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Denise Mccann 😁 xx
3-2-1 GO …… there are still entries in our MPH primary 1.5k and RAM Tubulars secondary school 2.5k races.
These fill fast, so DONT MISS OUT - make it a family day out.🏃🏼♀️🏃🏻♂️
#getinvolved #familyfun @runbalmoral #runbalmoral2025 #runscotland #beautifulruns #aberdeenshirerunning #runbalmoralcastle
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WHAT ARE YOUR RUNNING PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR?
Let's make Run Balmoral your first choice for 2025.
It's the perfect place to run.
We offer:
Spectacular scenery
Stunning routes
Traffic free environment
Family activities
Warm welcome
Historic setting ..and much more.
We have an amazing selection of races for all the family:
Saturday 26 April
MPH 1.5k primary schools
RAM Tubulars 2.5k secondary schools
Harbour Energy 5k
Stena Drilling 10k
Sunday 27 April
Bilfinger 6 mile trail race
Bristow 15 mile trail race
AND..the ultimate test...
The John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge (5k, 10k, 6 and 15 mile races).
There's also a Corporate Team Challenge in the 5k and 10k.
PLUS...
The Albyn Hospital Event Village featuring kids fun activities, food outlets, charity stands and the Run4it store.
Sign up today on www.runbalmoral.com
Link in our Instagram bio
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Eilidh Whytock
STILL TIME TO ENTER OUR DESIGN COMPETITION
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG RUNNING ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS
We are looking for a budding young artist/designer to come up with an imaginative and creative image to be used on the front of the Run Balmoral 2025 Event Programme.
The 2024 Programme cover, shown here, featured a design by Karly Paterson from Charleston School in Aberdeen.
There's an awesome prize up for grabs as the winner will receive £50 for themselves with a further £100 cheque to be given to their school,sports club or favourite charity.
The winner will also receive a free race entry for Run Balmoral which is held over the weekend of April 26-27
The rules are simple:
The competition is open to anyone attending primary or secondary school or home schooling.
Your image should be no larger than A4 paper size. You can submit more than one image.
Scan or photograph it, then send it to us at info@runbalmoral.com
Please keep the original version as we may need it at a later date.
IMPORTANT: Please remember to provide us with the following information:
Your name.
Age.
School name.
Contact name and email address and/or phone number for a parent/guardian.
Contact email address and/or phone number for your school.
Name of school/club or charity you would want your prize to go to if successful.
The closing date for entries is 5pm on 30th January 2025.
The Board of Run Balmoral will choose the winner and the result will be announced as soon as possible after the closing date.
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Alec McVean Hi Alec, No, we won't be ordering any T shirts for next year's event. It was a difficult decision to make. The kids will still get their goodie bag and medal.
I assume this means the kids still get T shirts and it's only adult races you're planting trees instead? Cheers.
We are the Healthiest School Northmuir Parent Partnership
Vicki Smith x