Run Balmoral added 5 new photos.

1 week ago

RUN BALMORAL 2019 IS UP AND RUNNING - ARE YOU READY?

Scotland’s Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist Robbie Simpson was on hand to help launch the 2019 Run Balmoral races today when event Chairman James Knowles revealed that all participating runners will, next Spring, receive the first in a series of five unique medals.

The 22nd edition of the popular Deeside running festival takes place over the weekend of 27-28 April 2019 and entries have now opened with organisers expecting more than 5,500 people to sign up for the programme of eight races catering for all age groups.

Knowles also announced that the Bristow Group has signed up as a new sponsor for the 15 mile and 3 mile trail races both of which take place, along with the Apollo duathlon, on the second day of the biggest running festival in Aberdeenshire.

The opening day of the festival begins with the MPH primary schools 1.5km races and the secondary schools 2.5km followed by the ConocoPhillips 5km and the Stena Drilling 10km.

And, returning for a third year is the Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside Challenge. This gruelling event requires competitors to take part in four adult races over the two days - the 5km and 10km on the Saturday, followed by the duathlon and 15 mile trail race on the Sunday. The man and woman with the best cumulative time from the four races will win a fantastic trophy and prize, and everyone taking part in the challenge will receive a limited edition Devil of Deeside race t-shirt and running vest.

Knowles said: “We are delighted to welcome the Bristow Group on board for what promises to be another exciting event which never fails to capture the enthusiasm of runners from all over the country.”

Matt Rhodes, Director UK & Turkmenistan Oil and Gas at Bristow Helicopters, added: “We are proud to give our support to Run Balmoral which, set across one of Scotland’s most prestigious venues, offers real tests of endurance for runners of all capabilities – many of which our North Sea and Search and Rescue team members have tackled as competitors over the years.

“The Bristow 15 Mile Trail will test the stamina of athletes of all abilities, while the Bristow 3 Mile Trail offers a short, steep, multi-surface challenge which puts a different set of running skills to the test.

“Run Balmoral has rightly established itself as one of the most popular events, and series of routes, in the north-east race calendar and we look forward to taking part as supporters in 2019.”

Knowles also provided details of the unique new medal collection available to Balmoral runners. He said: “I am also pleased to reveal that the medal to be awarded to every participant in 2019 will be the first of a special series over the next five years, each featuring an iconic landmark within and around the Balmoral estate. The 2019 medal will show Lochnagar while in subsequent years we will include the Auld Brig o’Dee, Balmoral Castle, Crathie Kirk and Albert’s Cairn. I am sure these will become collectible items and runners will want to acquire a complete set.”

Simpson, 26, who in addition to his success in the marathon at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, is also one of the world’s top mountain runners, has always been a fan of the Balmoral event. One of the first races he tackled was the secondary schools run 14 years ago and he has since gone on to win the 10km and long trail races on three occasions each, setting a number of records along the way.

He said: “Balmoral is such a brilliant event because there’s a race for every age and ability and the courses run through some of the best scenery in Scotland. It has the feel of a really big race with thousands of runners and supporters, but some sections of the course through the forest are quiet and it’s a nice contrast. I’d recommend this event to anyone who hasn’t been before as it’s a classic event and a great day out for all the family.”

Knowles went on to pay tribute to the many sponsors, charities and volunteers who contribute to making Run Balmoral a significant community event.

He said: “I am grateful to all our sponsors who, despite the harsh realities of the economic climate, continue to give us tremendous support. These companies have worked with us in a positive and proactive way to ensure we have a successful event. Not only do they provide financial backing, they also encourage their employees to take part in big numbers, which they do. Without this loyal support, RunBalmoral could not happen.

“We are currently still looking for a backer for the secondary schools race and would be pleased to hear from anyone who might be interested. As Robbie Simpson has shown, this event can be the breeding ground for stars of the future.

“We are also delighted to once again be working in partnership with Balmoral Estate and to have the support of Aberdeenshire Council as well as many local community organisations who contribute to making the whole occasion something special.

“The Balmoral Estate offers one of the most dramatic settings for a running event, not just in the UK, but worldwide. Last year more than 5,500 runners of all ages signed up for the programme of eight races, and in keeping with the strong community focus of the event, these Balmoral runners raised well in excess of £100,000 for local charities. We will again be involved with a number of nominated charities in 2019 and we encourage runners to get involved in supporting these organisations. The charities have without doubt added a real vibrancy to RunBalmoral.

“With thousands of spectators coming along to support the runners, the estate will be buzzing with excitement and for those not taking part in the races there is an opportunity to visit the Event Village where a range of activities for all ages will be on offer.

“Finally, I’d like to invite runners to enter RunBalmoral as soon as possible by going to our website. Many of the races sold out well before the official closing date last year, so anyone thinking about taking part is encouraged to sign up quickly.” ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 6 new photos.

2 weeks ago

NOT LONG NOW!
The excitement is building.
Entries for RUNBALMORAL 2019 open at noon on Wednesday 7th November.... so be ready!

Places in many of our races are quickly taken up so it's best to sign up early and take all the stress out of it!
Good luck. We look forward to welcoming you for the 22nd edition of our annual event. ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 4 new photos.

3 weeks ago

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHARITIES

Run Balmoral participants raise more than £100,000 each year for our official charities. It is another example of the wonderful community spirit which typifies the event.

We already have a number of organisations who have signed up for the 2019 Run Balmoral races but a few vacancies exist in our charity programme.

So if your charity would like to be part of the Run Balmoral community, please get in touch with us to find out more about the benefits of being an official race charity.

We can offer your runners guaranteed places in any of our races; you can have dedicated space in one of our marques at the Event Village;promotional banners close to the start/finish line of the races; an advert in our race programme and promotional opportunities via social media platforms.

Contact us at info@runbalmoral.com ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 2 new photos.

3 weeks ago

T-SHIRT DESIGN COMPETITION CLOSING DATE IS SOON

Get your entries in soon! Our t-shirt design competition closes on Monday 5th November so time is running out.

North east youngsters are being given the opportunity to design RunBalmoral 2019 race t-shirt logos – and win £250 for their schools.

We are 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 takes place on Saturday 27th April 2019.

There are separate competitions for primary 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.

Pupils should draw their designs,no bigger than A4 size, then scan/photograph/copy them and send by email to info@runbalmoral.com

Entries must arrive by 5.00pm on Monday 5th November 2018. The winning entries will be chosen by the Board of RunBalmoral.

The winner will receive a free entry to RunBalmoral 2019 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 be used for paying for transport to allow pupils to access sports events/facilities or for purchasing kit or equipment.

Full details here:-
runbalmoral.com/content/category/news/ ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 5 new photos.

2 months ago

OPPORTUNITY FOR CHARITIES TO BECOME OFFICIAL RUNBALMORAL PARTNERS

Participants in the Run Balmoral races have raised in excess of £500,000 for local charities over the past five years. It's a fantastic achievement and it's something we are keen to encourage and develop in the future. We work in partnership with a number of official charities each year and currently we have a few vacancies for new charities to come on board. If you would like to know more about our charity packages, then please contact us at info@runbalmoral.com ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 3 new photos.

2 months ago

RunBalmoral 2019 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 and to participate in sport.

Over the past year £3,000 was distributed to 18 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 2018-2019.

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 or other active sporting activities are eligible to apply. We have also retained the new category of award related to our wish to increase secondary school participation in the RunBalmoral event.

The Bursary fund for 2019 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 sports 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.
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 FOS Group 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 2019.
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 fifth 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 second 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 popular over the past four years and we were delighted to help so many different groups. I hope it proves to be equally beneficial in 2018-2019, even in a small way, in helping more youngsters to become involved in sport, 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 and/or participate in sport.
• How many young people are expected to benefit from the project.
• When the money will be spent.
• From which Pot you are applying.

Bids should be submitted by midnight on 30th November 2018

The decision on the winning bid or bids will be made by the Board of RunBalmoral and the results announced in December 2018.

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.

Our photos show three of last year's successful projects - Banchory Academy Girls running club, Tarland primary running club and the Monymusk Muddy Run ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 2 new photos.

2 months ago

Here's a fantastic opportunity for pupils to design RunBalmoral 2019 race t-shirt logos – and to win £250 for your school.

Here's a wonderful opportunity to see your artwork being worn by hundreds of competitors in the RunBalmoral 2019 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 takes place on Saturday 27th April 2019.

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 5th November 2018. 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 2019 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.

Last year's winning designs, by Heidi Paterson and Emma Barclay are shown here. ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 2 new photos.

3 months ago

RUN BALMORAL SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

A wonderful opportunity has opened up for a company to become involved with Run Balmoral as we are looking for a title sponsor for the 2019 secondary schools 2.5km race.
This is an event which has, over the years, provided a platform for many 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.
We are keen to speak with anyone who might be interested in playing a key role in what is one of the north east's biggest sporting participation and community events.
If you would like to know more, please contact us at info@runbalmoral.com ... See MoreSee Less

Run Balmoral added 3 new photos.

5 months ago

We were delighted to have been able to support, through our Sports Bursay scheme, this year's Monymusk Muddy Run, which was a huge success.

Graham Strachan, from Monymusk School Parent Council, who organise the event, explained the background to the event.

He said:"The Muddy Monymusketeers running club are a hardcore group of school pupils who run in all weather under the guidance of their Head Teacher.

They go by the motto 'If you’re not muddy, you’re not satisfied.' Almost 50 % of the pupils at the school attend the running club. The youngsters had felt the need for a fun run, but challenging local event that will encourage them and children from other local schools into running and so we organsied our third annual Monymusk Muddy Run.

"The fact that the run is entirely off road, sets it apart from other local children’s fun runs. The uniqueness of the run along with the attractive, secluded, supportive and safe setting makes the event a positive experience for all entrants, whilst encouraging healthy lifestyles."

Well done Muddy Monymuskateers. Hopefully we'll see a lot of you at Run Balmoral 2019. ... See MoreSee Less