Everyone at Run Balmoral wishes you all a very happy and healthy New Year.
We are sad we'll not be seeing you all in April, but hopefully it won't be too long before major races can once again safely be held.
We are already working on the 2022 event which promises to be the best yet.
Keep running - and stay healthy.
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.
Chrysaor 5K
The Chrysaor 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.
AON 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
Apollo Duathlon
Aberdeen based engineering and project services provider Apollo are our sponsor for the duathlon featuring a 16K mountain biking stage with a 6k run to start and a 5k run to finish.
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!
Bristow 3 Mile Trail Race
Don’t be fooled into thinking the Bristow 3 Mile trail race is an easy option! This fast little trail race heads off adjacent to the river Dee before turning up hill. In just 2 miles you climb 350 Meters, before a fast descent for the last mile. A mix of tarmac, track and slippy grass, this is a true all terrain event!
Weekend Challenges
Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside
Can you handle the Devil O Deeside? To dance with the Devil you have to complete the Stena Drilling 10K, Chrysaor 5K, Bristow 15 Mile Trail race and the Apollo Duathlon! 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 / Chrysaor Corporate Team Challenge
Corporate Challenge Trophy The StenaDrilling – Chrysaor 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.
welcome
reasons to run with us!
Be Healthy
Regular running helps you stay fit and healthy.
Spectacular Scenery
Enjoy the fresh air and the spectacular scenery, from mountains to the castle and its landscaped grounds.
Fun for friends and families
A great day out for runners and spectators, with an event village on site.
Raise money for charity
It is an opportunity to not only get fit and have a great day out, but to make a donation to a nominated charity.
We are delighted to announce that RunBalmoral 2020 will be held over the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April. Entries will open on the 1st July 2019 for the programme of eight races catering for all age groups. This will be the 23rd year of the event and we look forward to welcoming more than 5,000 runners and as many spectators to the estate. Put it in your diary now!
James Knowles
Chairman, Balmoral Road Races Ltd
Stay tuned with updates
Facebook Updates
Facebook Posts
Everyone at Run Balmoral wishes you all a very happy and healthy New Year.
We are sad we'll not be seeing you all in April, but hopefully it won't be too long before major races can once again safely be held.
We are already working on the 2022 event which promises to be the best yet.
Keep running - and stay healthy.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
We regret to announce that Run Balmoral will not be held in 2021 - but the event will return in 2022.
This year’s popular road and trail races were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we have now decided it's still too risky to proceed with the 2021 event which was scheduled for next April.
Run Balmoral Chair James Knowles said: "It was a tough decision to take and one we haven't taken lightly. But, there's still so much uncertainty over how the coronavirus might develop over the winter months and how that might lead to a continuation of restrictions on large participation sporting events, that we felt unable to plan ahead with any confidence.
"Every year we need to commit to significant expenditure well in advance of the races, setting up and maintaining online registration systems, buying medals and t-shirts and ordering equipment.
"We suffered a significant loss this year and simply cannot afford for a similar situation to develop in 2021 as that would put the long-term survival of the event at risk.
"It would also be unfair on the thousands of runners who support our event every year if we had to cancel once again at short notice.
"Nor do we want to let down our sponsors, who have given us loyal support throughout, or the charities with whom we have worked with so successfully for many years.
"Runners who have already deferred their entries to 2021 will be offered the option of deferring again, until 2022, or getting a refund."
Knowles added that every option had been explored in a bid to put the races on.
He added: "The London marathon has, next year, moved from its traditional April date to a new one in October and the Manchester marathon has also shifted from Spring to Autumn.
"Unfortunately, that's not an option at Balmoral as the estate isn't available at other times of the year.
"Other running events are planning to go ahead with significantly scaled down numbers of competitors to meet physical distancing rules, and with no spectators allowed.
"At the moment there is a limit of 200 participants, including officials, at events. I'm afraid that wouldn't be a viable number at Balmoral.
"We also have to consider the safety of runners, their supporters and the hundreds of volunteers who help us every year. The local community on Deeside is very supportive of the event and we need to be aware of their concerns as well. All of this is of paramount importance.
"We are extremely disappointed to have taken this decision but is one which will secure the longer-term future of this event which was first held in 1998.
"The 2022 event has been pencilled in for the weekend of April 23-24."
Can this race not be done as a virtual like london marathon and a few of the other big races this year?
Eric McGough
Helen Rees Campbell Pert 😱
Richard Daniel
Melanie J P Strang 😢😢😢
Lorna Cruickshank
Judith Stewart 😪😪
Rebekah Walker Alison Dressel
Elaine Fyvie Emma Mowat
Colin Turnbull 🤷♂️
Sandra Stephen Corrine Wilkie
James McGregor
Val Rose ☹️
Nicole Chapman
Ali Cam
Sam Watson
Louise Arthur
Corine Jack 😍
Gutted but totally understand. I'll plan to be there in 2022.
Gutted! But completely understand your reasons, missed this race so much!! Can’t wait to see you in 2022!!
Understandable given the scale and location of the events. We will support 2022...I'm sure many will defer their entries until then.
Sad news for us all, but you need to take these decisions in good time for your prep. Appreciated. 😁🏃♀️🙋♀️
Kathleen Macleod Shanks not sure if you’ve seen this
Sorry to hear this news. Fingers crossed for 2022!
Disappointed but totally understand in the current climate. Will be there in 2022 🏃🏻♀️👍
For our Aberdeen area runners.....NO PARKRUN - BUT YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR SATURDAY MORNING FIX WITH HIDDEN PEAK RUNNING
- AND WIN A HIDDEN PEAK BUFF
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3
We know many of you are missing your Saturday morning Parkrun fix - so we are excited to be able to offer something meaningful to fill that gap.
On October 3rd we'll host our first Hidden Peak Saturday morning training event in Aberdeen, lasting for one hour between 9.30am and 10.30am.
It's going to be a fantastic all-inclusive session suitable for runners of all levels of experience and ability.
We are following all the guidelines to ensure an enjoyable but safe session, conducted by two of the north east's most respected and succesful distance runners - GB internationals Robbie Simpson and Fraser Clyne.
A restricted number of places are available in order to comply with Scottish Government and SportsScotland guidelines and pre-booking is essential via entrycentral.com
SO, WHAT ARE WE DOING ON HIDDEN PEAK SATURDAY?
IMPROVE YOUR TECHNIQUE FOR FASTER RUNNING + TEST YOURSELF IN A PARKLAND PAARLAUF
WHERE? Aberdeen's Hazlehead Park. Meet at main car park at the top of the running track.
WHEN? Be ready to start at 9.30am on Saturday October 3rd.
HOW LONG? Session lasts for one hour.
WHAT WILL WE BE DOING?:
Loosening out with activation exercises.
Slow warm-up jog.
Strides and faster running technique instruction.
Two-person paarlauf - with varied paced running in a fun-competitive environment.
Cool down jog - very slow
Light stretches.
HOW DO I SIGN UP? Go to entrycentral
ANYTHING ELSE?....YES.. YOU COULD WIN A HIDDEN PEAK BUFF
** Tag a friend below , LIKE & share this post to be entered into the draw for a Hidden Peak Buff.
FINAL REMINDER
Hi guys - if you entered RunBalmoral 2020 and haven't yet let us know whether you want your entry deferred to 2021 or prefer a refund - please do so asap.
We need to hear from you by July 31st so we can plan our numbers for 2021.
Everyone has been emailed on a couple of occasions over the past few months, but there's still some who haven't responded.
So, could you please make your choice today, - and no later than July 31st.
The 2021 event will be held over the weekend of 17th-18th April.
To choose which option you prefer, please go to www.runbalmoral.com and click on the 'My Entry Preference' button.
Login to your RunBalmoral account, click the 'Make Your 2021 Entry Preference', and for each entry choose your preference.
You should choose one option.
Thank you.
A big thank you to everyone who has told us whether they wish to defer their 2020 race entry to 2021 or take a refund.
However, we are still waiting to hear from some of you. So, if you haven't replied yet, please do so as soon as possible and by no later than July 31st.
This is so important as we need to know how many places we will have available in the 2021 races.
Just a reminder - the 2021 event will be held over the weekend of 17th-18th April.
To choose which option you prefer, please go to www.runbalmoral.com
click on the 'My Entry Preference' button.
Login to your RunBalmoral account, click the 'Make Your 2021 Entry Preference', and for each entry choose your preference.
You should choose one option.
Thanks very much - and stay safe.
Didn’t enter this year as it clashed with another race but fingers crossed there’s spaces for next year.
Are you taking new entries?
Everyone at Run Balmoral hopes you are all staying safe and healthy at this time.
We are working on our 2021 event by which time, hopefully, the current crisis will have eased considerably.
Our preparations are already underway but we need to know how many of you who entered the 2020 races intend to either defer your entry until next year or request a refund.
This is very important so that we know how many places we will have available in each race.
So, could you please make your choice today, or as soon as you can.We have sent an email to everyone who has yet to choose, giving full details.
The 2021 event will be held over the weekend of 17th-18th April.
To choose which option you prefer, please Go to www.runbalmoral.com
click on the 'My Entry Preference' button.
Login to you RunBalmoral account, click the 'Make Your 2021 Entry Preference', and for each entry choose your preference.
You should choose one option.
Thank you
I didn't get an email and I can't get into my account!
Iain Sutherland did you get an email?
Scott Mckay
Michael Ritchie
Our road map back to group athletics activity - Scottish Athletics
Our road map back to group athletics activity - Scottish Athletics
scottishathletics.org.uk
Group training should not be happening at this stage with facilities closed and a return is likely to be in phases - starting with small numbers Exit PlanWILL YOU BE JOINING US IN 2021?
Hi Folks - we have attempted to contact everyone who entered our 2020 races to ask if, following the unavoidable cancellation of the event, you wish to defer your entry to 2021 or would prefer a refund.
If you haven't already done so, could you let us know your intentions as soon as possible as this will help us in planning for next year's races.
To choose which option you prefer, please Go to www.runbalmoral.com click on the 'My Entry Preference' button.
Login to you RunBalmoral account, click the 'Make Your 2021 Entry Preference', and for each entry choose your preference.
You should choose one option as soon as possible and by no later than 31st July 2020.
Please note that in accordance with our terms and conditions, refunds in adult races will be the race entry fee minus £5 admin fee (which covers banking and other charges we have incurred). Full refunds will be given for the Primary and Secondary races if you choose to ask for a refund.
If you do choose to refund your place(s) this may take a few days to process.
Block bookings and complimentary entry details will be available for 2021 once the entries open for that.
Take care and we'll look forward to welcoming many of you to RunBalmoral 2021 which will be held over the weekend of 17th and 18th April.
I would, but the form has never worked for me.
For sure 💪
I haven’t seen my refund come through yet and have messaged twice, can you advise?
I can guarantee the Fit Like Joggers will be there with bells on ! 💜💜💜
Run Balmoral can we enter for 2021 yet if we HADN'T entered this year's? Thanks
Depends if we’re allowed back out !
If I’m still alive !
🙋♀️
For sure!!
Hope so. 👍😊🏃♂️🏃♀️
YES 😄
Colin Donald I can see you
Russell Cannon yes?!
Nicola Welsh! X
Claire Emma keen to join me for this one if we can? It’s a fave!!
Colin Donald Your at the front ! I see Iain Mackenzie is Eating your dust.
Hats off to Orkney's Rachel Garson who,along with husband Scott, ran their own version of the Stena Drilling Tartan 10km on their home island of Shapinsay at the weekend.
The couple were extremely disappointed when the Run Balmoral meeting was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, especially as it was to have been Rachel's very first 10km.
She had also secured sponsorship donations of more than £1000 for one of our charities, Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance.
Rachel said: "My father-in-law took seriously ill a couple of years ago and was flown off by the air ambulance.
"He ended up having bowel cancer so I did a lot of fund raising for Bowel Cancer UK.But this year I decided I wanted to take on a different charity. And as the air ambulance had helped him, I wanted to do something for them.
"I went onto their website and saw that they were part of the Balmoral event, so I thought that would be a good challenge for me to do something I had never done before by running the 10km and raising money for the charity at the same time."
So, after months of training and fundraising, Rachel was determined she'd still go ahead with the run.
She added:"I'd never entered a race before, so I was really looking forward to it. I had done my fundraising and had a lot of donations and didn't want to let folk down.
"Scott had never run at Balmoral either and it was something we were looking forward to doing together.So we decided we'd still do a 10km run on the Balmoral race day.
"Shapinsay is only seven miles long and three miles wide but we have a nice loop for running. Scott has been running for years doing half marathons, marathons and ultras so he often runs round the island and he worked out a route for me.
"We got really good weather for the run. It was sunny but not too hot and there was little wind.
"It took me 1hr 6mins which was around the time I was looking for. I wasn't expecting too much as I'd never done one before. I'd been doing three or four runs a week but I'd never run 10km until the race day.
"There were a few people at the end, socially distancing of course, and there were some folk cheering me on along the route. I really enjoyed it and I've raised £1140 but there's stil some donations to come in.
"I would like to keep going with my running and we are keen to sign up for Run Balmoral 2021."
@ScotAirAmb
@ScotlandsAirAmubulanceCharity
@run4it
Well done! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 that’s an awesome achievement! You will love run balmoral next year!
Well done Rachel & Scott 😊
Well done 🏅🍾🏅
🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍
RunBalmoral 2020 Update - mailchi.mp/9aacae9f2cc1/about-our-sponsor-vsa-2918997
David Scott not sure what you mean Dave. You didn't use any of the block bookings we set up as all FLJ's entered individually
is there a lock down to enter the estate to do some running as exercise?
Duncan Milne instructions are here!
Lindsay John Davidson
Juliet Taylor xx
Izy Kirkaldy Mazza Nairno
Ok Folks,
You can now decide whether to take a refund or carry over your race entry to 2021.
Please Go to www.runbalmoral.com, click on the 'My Entry Preference' button.
Login to you Run Balmoral account, click the 'Make Your 2021 Entry Preference', and for each entry choose your preference.
Runners have to choose one option or the other by 31st July 2020. If we have not heard from you by that date, then you will forfeit your entry fee and your place in the 2021 event.
Please note refunds in adult races will be race fee minus £5 admin fee. Full refunds will be given for the Primary and Secondary races if you choose to ask for a refund.
If you do choose to refund your place(s) this may take a few days to process.
Take care and we'll look forward to welcoming many of you to Run Balmoral 2021 which will be held over the weekend of 17th-18th April.
I've asked for a refund as I dont know what life will look like in a year. I pressed refund for both my entries but theres no confirm button so I dont know if it's gone through
Not giving me any options 🤔 will try later in case we are all trying at the same time 🙄
Hopefully you’ll be emailing as well so people not on FB don’t accidentally forfeit their entries?
Deferred..... definitely worth the wait.
Thank you
Deferred ☺
Helen Rees
James McGregor defer? 🤔
Anne McIntosh
Alex Christie
Thomas Harpley
Lizbeth Whyte Strachan
Jordan Connell
Geraldine Rowe Brian Strachan
Charlotte Imlach Tracy Spence Jacqui Henderson
As a race director for another local race I think it’s really bad form for Run Balmoral to make entrants apply for a refund and risk forfeit if they don’t. The default should be that entrants get their money back.
Duncan Forrest Jackie Forrest Euan Forrest
Sara Anderson
Kris Imlach
Is there an option to run a virtual 5k or 10k instead? If the medals have already been manufactured it would be a shame to waste them. Just wondering if this could be an option.
I'm still not getting an option for either. Am I doing something wrong here? I had entered for the Devil
Deferred 👍 First race (hopefully!) of 2021 entered 👍💜🏃♀️🚴♀️
Places carried forward 💪 Ready for the Devil in 2021 😁 Shari
Let’s goooooooooo 2021 💪🏻
Lisa Stuart Kathleen Runcie Kevin Blanchard Sarah Yates I’m going to carry mine forward to next year
Dear Runner,
Following UK and Scottish Government advice in respect of the current coronavirus pandemic, we must now cancel Run Balmoral 2020 which was due to be held over the weekend of April 18th-19th.
We appreciate this is disappointing but is unavoidable given the health risks facing the nation at this time.
We have looked at the options for rescheduling this year, but with the continuing uncertainty over how long the coronavirus crisis may last as well as other potential commitments on Balmoral Estate, this is,unfortunately, not possible.
We can,however, offer everyone the opportunity to roll their entries over to the 2021 event which is to be held on April 17th-18th. Alternatively you can apply for a refund.
We will be announcing details of how to go about this as soon as possible. We would be grateful if, in the meantime, you could hold back from contacting us about these matters so we can get everything in place.
This has been a difficult decision and we have been working hard on all fronts to ensure the continued viability and success of our event in the future.
Thank you for your patience, support and understanding, and please check back for further information in the near future.
Happy with that decision.Time accept whats going down and move on.I wonder how many races next year will will be able to pick off from now as not many will be big profit pullers.Sad for all involved,not just for runners but for organisers who give up lots of free time to make these races available.
Inevitable, but thanks for letting us know in plenty of time. I will definitely want deferral to next year 🏃🏼♀️
Happy with (only) decision - disappointed to break doing 10K every year since 2006 and wee trail every year since it’s inception. Favourite running weekend of the year ❤️ roll on 2021
It’s very sad that this has happened but fully understand and support the decision, see u 2021 👍
Sorry to hear this but absolutely appreciate these are difficult times.
Sad but the right decision- more time to train for the hill
Going to really impact cash flow on smaller runs
Was expecting it but still disappointed
Jack Rathbone looks like the running plan won’t be happening anymore.. oh well 😅
Gillian Jarvie
Bill Taylor
Helen Rees
Lettie Blackett Gemma McKenzie Stewart McEwan any of you rolling over to 2021?
Mark Liddle
Abbie Smith
Karen Stather
Jordan Connell
☹️
Debz Way Hay
Jason Cheyne Mel Clarke
Donna Duncan Corrine Wilkie
Andrew Wilson, Alastair Wilson
Julie Menzies 😥
Stewart Reid 😥
Sarah Yates Lisa Stuart Kathleen Runcie Benna Runcie Kevin Blanchard
Coronavirus and Run Balmoral - Update
We appreciate everyone's concerns about whether or not our event will be going ahead next month.
We are in dialogue with Scottish Government officials and are taking their advice at the moment on a number of issues.
Details are being discussed and we will make a further announcement within the next few days
Our priority is to ensure the health and well being of all those likely to be involved in the event - participants, volunteers, spectators.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
For those not already registered for the event; what’s is the latest registration date?
Run Balmoral Any update? I assume cancellation? 😥
Have we had an update yet?
Any update on this yet?
Mari-Anne Maskew might not need to do sweaty Caribbean runs after all 😂🙈🦠
Innes Ali
Helen Rees
Caroline Hughes
Darryn Irvine
Rhonda Gauld
Sara Anderson
Heather J Mcleod
An update would be highly appreciated please
James McGregor
Cecilia Berry you’d better hope if they announce cancellation they wait till after Tuesday 😉 #no20milerforme
Thanx for the update, hopefully it can go ahead , fully understand if it can’t though.
I'm just hoping we can fly out there in a month. Thanks for the update!
Vicky Weston can you credit it, your flight will be cancelled probably 😳🙊
Thanks for the update
Yvonne McMillan better put ‘training’ on hold 🤣
Lisa Urquhart
Nicola Duncan ..think we should hold off for now
Shona Clarke
Mandy Powrie
Joanne O'Connor xx
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