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.
WHAT'S ON YOUR SANTA LIST?
Is it.....
The MPH primary schools 1.5k
or
The RAM Tubulars Secondary Schools 2.5k
or
The Harbour Energy 5k
or
The Stena Drilling 10k
or
The Bilfinger 6 mile trail race
or
The Bristow 15 mile trail race
OR...
If you have been really good all year...
Maybe ask for a place in the John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge in which you can do the 5k, 10k, 6 mile and 15 mile races!!
Pick and choose. We hope you are lucky.
But just in case Santa doesn't play ball, just treat yourself to an early present by signing up today.
Go to www.runbalmoral.com
#runbalmoral2025
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HERE'S SOME GREAT MEMORIES OF 2024 - NOW TAKE THE CHANCE TO CREATE YOUR OWN MEMORIES IN 2025.
Run Balmoral 2024 was a resounding success. So, why not treat yourself to an early Christmas present by signing up for one or more of our amazing runs in 2025.
Run Balmoral 2025 goes ahead over the weekend of 26-27 April and we have a superb range of races to offer - all held within a spectacular and historic setting.
The full programme is:
Saturday
MPH Primary Schools 1.5K (separate boys’ and girls’ races)
RAM Tubulars Secondary Schools 2.5k
Harbour Energy 5k
Stena Drilling 10k
Sunday
Bilfinger 6 mile trail race
Bristow 15-mile trail race
There’s also the John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge in which competitors tackle the 5k and 10k on the Saturday, and the 6 and 15-mile trail races on the Sunday!
All races are held on traffic-free roads and trails, offering amazing views of the Deeside countryside and the Cairngorm mountains.
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Balmoral runners to combat climate-change impacts
Runners taking part in Run Balmoral 2025, will tackle the local impact of climate change and biodiversity loss and leave a legacy on Deeside.
In an innovative move towards improving the sustainability of the popular annual running event, organisers will commit to plant a riverbank tree for every runner, in place of providing the usual event t-shirts.
The initiative will support the vital work of locally based conservation charity, The River Dee Trust.
Debbie Cooper, Development & Promotions Officer at the Trust, explains:
“Thanks to the vision and commitment of the event organisers, we are thrilled to be working with the team at Run Balmoral. Of course, the exposure the event will provide for the Trust is phenomenal, but it is the trees that will be planted on behalf of the runners that are the real game-changer.
“We launched our multi-award winning One Million Trees Campaign in 2020, after recording dangerously high water temperatures in the tributaries of the Dee that are vital nursery areas for young salmon.
“We know climate change will bring more extremes of drought and high temperatures. By planting one million trees along riverbanks, we will provide shade over many kilometers of Dee catchment, lowering the water temperature and increasing the chance of survival for endangered species such as Atlantic salmon and Freshwater Pearl Mussels.
"We have already planted 484,000 native trees, and with the additional trees planted on behalf of Run Balmoral runners, we are forecast to pass the exciting halfway marker of 500,000 trees during the 2025 tree planting season.
“As well as providing cooling shade, the trees will help to increase biodiversity, stabilise riverbanks and increase stability to river channels in times of flood. The leaf litter they create will feed aquatic insects which improve food sources for wildlife.”
Run Balmoral ‘s Chair James Knowles added: "We have been talking to the team at the River Dee Trust about this idea, and it is incredibly exciting to bring it fruition for the 2025 event. It is the right time to make this positive change, and our sponsors and runners are very much behind this initiative.
“It is amazing to think that over 5,000 trees will be planted across key sites on the upper Dee catchment area, where they are most needed.
“Entries for Run Balmoral are now open and people can sign-up at www.runbalmoral.com”
For over 25 years, The River Dee Trust has been improving the ecology of the river Dee, delivering inspirational nature restoration and engaging with schools and community groups across Northeast Scotland. ... See MoreSee Less
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That's great to hear. Just a suggestion, but the next step could be to only provide medals if people order them (or removing them completely but I know that'll upset a few folk). I'm doing all 4 events and won't be taking the medals - but of course you'll be getting them made not knowing that. I haven't found an easy/effective way to reuse/recycle medals, so they end up going to waste.
JOIN US AS A CHARITY PARTNER OF RUN BALMORAL 2025
Every year a significant amount of money is raised for local charities by the thousands of participants in the Run Balmoral races.
Run Balmoral is a well-established two-day community running festival catering for all age groups (from primary school to senior adults) and in 2024 more than 5000 runners signed up and they were joined by at least as many, if not more, spectators.
The 2025 event takes place within the stunning grounds of the Balmoral Estate over the weekend of 26-27 April.
We have a number of different packages - with a variety of benefits - available for charities of all sizes. To find out more, please drop us a note at info@runbalmoral.com
What you need to know:
The full programme of races is:
Saturday
MPH Primary Schools 1.5K (separate boys’ and girls’ races)
RAM Tubulars Secondary Schools 2.5k
Harbour Energy 5k
Stena Drilling 10k
Sunday
Bilfinger 6 mile trail race
Bristow 15-mile trail race
There’s also the John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge in which competitors tackle the 5k and 10k on the Saturday, and the 6 and 15-mile trail races on the Sunday!
All races are held on traffic-free roads and trails, offering amazing views of the Deeside countryside and the Cairngorm mountains.
In addition to the races, there's a vibrant Event Village offering a wide range of top class catering facilities and numerous fun activities for children. Visitors are also free to explore the beautiful Balmoral grounds and gardens.
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VSA
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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Claire Gallagher
Melanie Leel
The autumn colours at Run Balmoral HQ are stunning at the moment and it's awesome to be able to enjoy a relaxing run in this kind of beautiful environment.
The Management Team has been out at Balmoral Estate this week, putting plans in place for the 2025 event that takes place over the weekend of 26-27 April.
You can sign-up now for the race of your choice, so why not make that commitment right now. Then you can start your training preparations amongst the autumn leaves.
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JOIN THE CLAN AT RUN BALMORAL 2025
We are so pleased to announce that Clan Cancer Support is to be one of our official charity partners for Run Balmoral 2025.
Clan Cancer Support is a well-established local charity providing emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer across north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.
Ross Sangster, Clan Community Development Coordinator, said: "We are delighted to be a charity partner for Run Balmoral 2025 and add this event to our fundraising calendar. This is a great opportunity for runners who are keen to support us to get on board to be part of the Clan.”
For more information about Clan and how you can support them at Run Balmoral 2025, please go to website:
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Run Balmoral 2025 is calling you!
26&27th April.
Don't miss the wonderful opportunity to take part in the race of your choice within the spectacular grounds of the Balmoral Estate situated on the edge of the Cairngorms.
Six races are held at the Balmoral weekend,catering for all ages, four on the Saturday and two on the Sunday. In addition, we have the John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge which is open to competitors who want to do the two adult races on the Saturday and another two on the Sunday.
The full programme is:
Saturday
MPH primary schools 1.5k
RAM Tubular secondary schools 2.5k
Harbour Energy 5k
Stena Drilling 10k
Sunday
Bilfinger 6 mile trail race
Bristow 15 mile trail race
You are also welcome to explore the beautiful grounds and enjoy the food stalls and children's activities in the Event Village.
So, grab your place now by signing up at www.runbalmoral.com
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You will insist on holding this event on our Wedding Anniversary! So Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations will be on hold till after the races Charlie Burr🤣🥰
Really disappointed you decided to replace the Duathlon with another 10k (6 mile) event. I completed The Devil of Deeside in the last 2 years, I don’t think I’ll be doing it again due to the new format 🤷♂️
Is anyone I know doing the 6k trail run?
No tshirts and no duathlon. Such a shame.
I’ve signed up for the 5k but is it possible to switch to the 10k instead please?
Is there an option to buy a tshirt?
Why no water station on 10k and 6 miles trail?
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