Run Balmoral

2 weeks ago

There's just a few days left for your school or club to apply for one of our Sports Bursary awards for 2020 - full details on our website at www.runbalmoral.com

Bids should be submitted by 30th November.

These small awards can make a big difference to youngsters hoping to get more involved in running-based sports.

Here's what one of last year's award winners, Gilcomstoun school in Aberdeen, had to say:

"Gilcomstoun pupils and staff would like to say a big thank you to all at Run Balmoral for the funding received in 2018-19 which has helped the school purchase equipment required to enhance the opportunities and improve the overall health and well-being throughout the school and school community.

"We purchased the Tag rugby belts, first soft touch balls, a few Javelins and a few footballs with the £200 we received. The tag belts are being used just now for teaching Second level rugby during PE curriculum time and for running activities as part of our newly formed extra-curricular running club-which takes place every Thursday after school. Running club has encouraged many pupils to participate in sport and physical activity outside of the school environment too and as such we now have pupils regularly attending the Junior Park Run every week. We hope to continue this progress and maybe in the next couple years will be attending Run Balmoral as ‘Team Gilcomstoun’.

"The first soft touch balls are being used at present for teaching ball skills to Early and First level pupils during curriculum time PE- this has enhanced pupils’ skills and development, as well as enhancing the enjoyment of each session as there is variety to their learning. The javelins were purchased to support our annual Sports day which is a fantastic celebration for our whole school community. The Javelins will also be useful for practicing for the annual regional Sportshall Athletics, which our school team may enter if offered a space this year (Feb 2020).

"Finally, our footballs have allowed us to start an extra-curricular football class for our P1-3 pupils which runs every Tuesday after school enhancing their technical and social skills as they work in teams to learn new skills and drills.

"Overall, the purchase of the new equipment has enhanced the opportunities we as a school can offer our pupils, during both curriculum and extra curriculum time. The clubs have created a real positive team ethos in our school which pupils are proud to be a part of. " ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral

1 month ago

T SHIRT DESIGN COMPETITION DEADLINE LOOMS

Just a wee reminder - our extended deadline for submitting entries for the t shirt design competition comes to and end at 5pm on Monday 4th November.
Send them to us at info@runbalmoral.com

For youngsters - it’s a wonderful opportunity to see your artwork being worn by hundreds of competitors in the RunBalmoral 2020 schools races – and to earn a super prize for your school.

RunBalmoral, in conjunction with RUN-4-IT, is offering all school pupils the chance to design an exciting image for the front of the t-shirts to be given out to all participants in the MPH Primary Schools 1.5km and the Secondary Schools 2.5km races at next year's event which take place on Saturday 18th April 2020.

There are separate competitions for primary schools and secondary schools. Primary school pupils can submit entries only for the primary school race t-shirt competition and secondary school pupils can submit entries only for the secondary school race t-shirt competition.

Just draw your design, no bigger than A4 size, then scan/photograph/copy it and send by email to info@runbalmoral.com
Entries must arrive by 5.00pm on Monday 4th November 2019. The winning entries will be chosen by the Board of RunBalmoral.

Please ensure you include your name, contact number and school name with your entry.

The winner will receive a free entry to RunBalmoral 2020 and a voucher from RUN-4-IT. In addition, the winner’s school will receive £250 to be used for any sports related project. This could include paying for transport to allow pupils to access sports events/facilities or for purchasing kit or equipment. ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral

1 month ago

Run Balmoral 2020 will again be working with a number of official charities, including Aberdeen University Development Trust which is this year raising funds for the Aberdeen Centre for Women’s Health Research.

Professor Maggie Cruickshank, personal chair in Gynaecology at the University of Aberdeen and Honorary Consultant Gynaecologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, said: “It is fantastic that the Aberdeen Centre for Women’s Health Research at the University of Aberdeen has been nominated as a beneficiary of Run Balmoral 2020.

“Women face very specific challenges to their health and well-being, such as pregnancy, periods, menopause and women’s cancers, many of which have far-reaching critical impacts on their day-to-day lives.

“All funds raised will support the Aberdeen Centre for Women’s Health Research, which is to be located in the new purpose-built Baird Family Hospital.

“The University has pioneered the transformation of women’s health care for many decades. Every penny raised by our incredible runners and their generous supporters will support clinical researchers here in Aberdeen as they investigate new ways to diagnose, treat and predict a wide range of health and social issues faced by women throughout their lives.”

Other charities signed up to work with us are:
VSA: www.vsa.org.uk
Charlie House: www.charliehouse.org.uk
Friends of the Neonatal Unit: archie.org/friends-of-the-neonatal-unit/
Kayleigh’s Wee Stars: www.kayleighsweestars.co.uk
University of Aberdeen Development Trust: www.abdn.ac.uk
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance: www.scaa.org.uk

We are keen to hear from others who may wish to become one of our official event charities. For more information,please contact us at info@runbalmoral.com ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral

1 month ago

AMAZING RUN BALMORAL HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE FOR RUNNERS AND VISITORS

Early bird competitors in the 2020 Run Balmoral races, to be held over the weekend of 18th-19th April, could be flying high thanks to an exciting incentive offered by one of the event’s key sponsors.

Entries are now open and everyone who signs up for the Bristow 15 mile trail race before the end of January 2020 will be entered into a prize draw. One lucky winner will receive an amazing two-hour flight simulation package for four people at the company’s Dyce HQ. It's truly a once-in-a lifetime opportunity

Bristow also plan to have a helicopter at Balmoral on the race weekend and a charity raffle will be held for everyone taking a tour of the aircraft, with another flight simulation package on offer. This is open to runners in all the races and to visitors.

It’s the latest in a series of exciting initiatives put in place for the 23rd edition of Aberdeenshire’s largest participation sporting event which usually attracts more than 5,000 entrants for the programme of eight races catering for all age groups.

All the runs are held on traffic-free courses within the spectacular grounds of Balmoral Castle.

Matt Rhodes, director UK & Turkmenistan oil and gas at Bristow Helicopters, said: “As one of the most well-attended events on the north-east racing calendar, Bristow is thrilled to put our support behind Run Balmoral for the second year running.

“Set within the historic grounds of the Balmoral Estate, the Bristow 3 Mile Trail race will see participants run across a mixed terrain, climbing 350 metres before a fast decent. For those wanting to test their endurance, the Bristow 15 Mile Trail offers fantastic views of the Ballochbuie forest before a climb to the base of Lochnagar.

“For years, many of our own team members across the business have participated in the event and we hope to see an even better turnout for 2020.

“We are very pleased to add to our commitment for 2020 by offering the flight simulation packages which are not generally available to the wider community.”

Mr Rhodes, pictured right with Run Balmoral Chairman James Knowles, made the announcement of the official launch of the 2020 Run Balmoral races today.

He added: "Bristow is the only helicopter operator in the UK with 4 full-motion, state-of-the-art simulators housed at our training facility at Aberdeen Airport. These simulators are normally used day and night to provide initial and recurrent training to our Oil and Gas and SAR pilots.

"They provide a realistic and safe environment in which we can put our pilots through their paces so they are equipped to deal with any issues that may arise during a flight. Be it weather, technical or operational, these training devices are as close as you can get to flying he real aircraft. "

To be in with a chance of winning one of these awesome prizes, enter now at www.runbalmoral.com ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral

2 months ago

Good news. We have decided to extend the closing date for our t shirt design competition until 4th November. School holidays have restricted some youngsters from completing their designs so we are happy to allow another few days for them to do this.

Remember, there’s some great prizes on offer for both the primary and secondary schools winners

Full details here:

Our t-shirt design competition ends at 5pm on November 4th.
For youngsters, it’s a wonderful opportunity to see your artwork being worn by hundreds of competitors in the RunBalmoral 2020 schools races – and to earn a super prize for your school.

RunBalmoral, in conjunction with RUN-4-IT, is offering all school pupils the chance to design an exciting image for the front of the t-shirts to be given out to all participants in the MPH Primary Schools 1.5km and the Secondary Schools 2.5km races at next year's event which take place on Saturday 18th April 2020.

There are separate competitions for primary schools and secondary schools. Primary school pupils can submit entries only for the primary school race t-shirt competition and secondary school pupils can submit entries only for the secondary school race t-shirt competition.
Just draw your design, no bigger than A4 size, then scan/photograph/copy it and send by email to info@runbalmoral.com
Entries must arrive by 5.00pm on Monday 4th November 2019. The winning entries will be chosen by the Board of RunBalmoral.

Please ensure you include your name, contact number and school name with your entry.

The winner will receive a free entry to RunBalmoral 2020 and a voucher from RUN-4-IT. In addition, the winner’s school will receive £250 to be used for any sports related project. This could include paying for transport to allow pupils to access sports events/facilities or for purchasing kit or equipment.

Entries may be scanned and put on the RunBalmoral website gallery. ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral

2 months ago

It's getting close to the time when we choose the winner of our t-shirt design competition. We have received so many fantastic submissions - and here's a selection of them. ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral

2 months ago

RunBalmoral 2020 Young People’s Sports Bursary

RunBalmoral is once again promoting an exciting initiative which aims to support opportunities for young people to adopt healthy lifestyles by experiencing and participating in running events.

Last year £3,000 was distributed to 10 north-east groups and clubs who benefitted from the RunBalmoral sports bursary scheme. The success of the bursary project means it is to be repeated for 2019-2020.

Schools, clubs and other organisations within the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire local authority areas (and Moray and Highland, for Pot 2 bids only) seeking funding for projects which encourage youngsters in the local area to take part in running are eligible to apply.

The Bursary fund for 2020 will again be £3,000 and this will be divided into two separate pots.

Pot 1: £2,000 – All Purpose Awards
Funding can be made to support the cost of transport to running/athletics events or facilities; for hiring of specialist coaches/equipment; or for the purchase of kit/equipment; etc. Any innovative ideas will be considered. Bids could be for the total amount needed for a project to proceed or to support funding being provided from other sources. Successful bidders must demonstrate that the funding can be used within 12 months of being awarded. The awards cannot be used to pay for race entry fees to Run Balmoral.

Small bids allow us to support a variety of projects but in exceptional circumstances a single large award up to the maximum may be made.

Pot 2: £1,000 – Secondary Schools participation at RunBalmoral
We are looking for innovative projects which lead to an increased number of participants in the RunBalmoral secondary schools 2.5km race. This might be to support after-school running clubs which encourage more teenagers to get involved with the sport; it could be for the purchase of running kit for a new team; or it could be to help subsidise transport to the RunBalmoral meeting for a group of youngsters who might not otherwise be able to make the trip. There will be a need to clearly show that the recipients of the bursary will participate in RunBalmoral 2020.
As with Pot 1, small bids allow us to support a variety of projects but in exceptional circumstances a single large award up to the maximum may be made.

RunBalmoral Chairman James Knowles said: "I am delighted that we are in a position to continue this initiative into a sixth year. RunBalmoral is a community event which has always attempted to promote sport in a positive way by offering races for all age groups from primary school age up to veterans in their 60's and 70's. We are particularly keen to see more secondary school pupils in the 11-15 age group participating at Balmoral which is why we have maintained for a third year a special allocation aimed at encouraging more youngsters take part in this event. I am looking forward to receiving some exciting suggestions as to how this might be achieved.

"The bursary award scheme has proven to be very popular over the past five years and we have been delighted to help so many different groups. I hope it proves to be equally beneficial in 2019-2020, even in a small way, in helping more youngsters to enjoy running, or to open up opportunities for young people which might not otherwise have been possible."

Bids should be submitted on one side of A4 and sent by email to info@runbalmoral.com

The bids should clearly state:
• The name of the bidding organisation.
• The name of a key contact along with phone,email and postal address details.
• The amount of funding required and for what purpose.
• How the project will encourage more young people to enjoy healthy lifestyles through invlement in running/athletics.
• How many young people are expected to benefit from the project.
• When the money will be spent.
• From which Pot you are applying.
• If successful, please state who the cheque should be made payable to.

Bids should be submitted by midnight on 30th November 2019

The decision on the winning bid or bids will be made by the Board of RunBalmoral and the results announced in December 2019.
All successful applicants will be expected to:-
• Provide a short report to RunBalmoral (no more than one side of A4) and, if possible, photographs, showing how the bursary was used, within one month of the money being spent.
• Acknowledge in any publicity, the support given by RunBalmoral.
• Use the RunBalmoral logo wherever appropriate. ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral

3 months ago

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Would your company like to become a partner in the popular Run Balmoral race weekend? If so, we have available an opportunity to become title sponsor for our 2.5km secondary schools race.

The secondary schools race is an event which has, over the years, provided a platform for youngsters to run in front of thousands of spectators in a beautiful traffic-free setting within the magnificent grounds of Balmoral Castle.

Some who have taken part in the past have gone on to become top international athletes, the best known being Banchory's Robbie Simpson, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist, who won the schools race in 2006.

Interested? Then drop a note to us at info@runbalmoral.com and we'll provide more details. ... See MoreSee Less