ABERDEEN SCHOOL ON TRACK WITH A HELPING HAND FROM A RUN BALMORAL SPORTS BURSARY
An Aberdeen school with ambitions to build it's own running track has received a financial boost by receiving a Run Balmoral Sports Bursary.
Westpark school in Aberdeen's Northfield has been given £750 towards the cost of the facility which will cater for the large number of youngsters involved with the school running club.
Alice Atkinson, depute head teacher,said: "Our running club started three years ago and it was popular from the start with children who were already runners.
"But what we are particularly proud of is that quite a number of children who would not have been considered sporty joined and train in all weathers.
"We are currently developing a track of our own in the school grounds.We'd like pupils to be able to train independently so that on days when the running club isn't happening there's still a safe place for them to go,away from traffic.
"We have raised almost £20,000 but we think we more, so this bursary is very welcome.
"As our school grounds are open to the public in the evenings and weekend's this project would be of genuine benefit to the health of the wider Northfield Community.
The school received £500 from the Bursary with a further £250 won by pupil Mia Mcdermid who won the competition to design the logo for the MPH primary schools 1.5km races.
Our photo shows Mia receiving her prize from Bert McIntosh of MPH along with her parents and staff from Westpark School.
Other organisations to benefit from the 2020 Run Balmoral bursary are:
Active Schools Aberdeenshire Central: New Scots Project.
Mackie Academy: Transport to Run Balmoral.
Bervie Primary School: Athletics kit for lunchtime running club.
Torphins School Parent Council:Sportshall athletics kit.
St Joseph's RC Primary: Sports equipment.
Aberdeen Lads Club: Sports equipment.
Bramble Brae Young Joggers: Transport to Run Balmoral, resource pack and pedometers.
Manor Park Primary: Transport to Run Balmoral and running bibs.
Hill of Banchory Primary: transport to inter schools cross country.
Lumphanan Leopards: Hi viz vests and headtorches; Metro Aberdeen Running Club: Transport to Run Balmoral for young athletes.
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.
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
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ABERDEEN SCHOOL ON TRACK WITH A HELPING HAND FROM A RUN BALMORAL SPORTS BURSARY
An Aberdeen school with ambitions to build it's own running track has received a financial boost by receiving a Run Balmoral Sports Bursary.
Westpark school in Aberdeen's Northfield has been given £750 towards the cost of the facility which will cater for the large number of youngsters involved with the school running club.
Alice Atkinson, depute head teacher,said: "Our running club started three years ago and it was popular from the start with children who were already runners.
"But what we are particularly proud of is that quite a number of children who would not have been considered sporty joined and train in all weathers.
"We are currently developing a track of our own in the school grounds.We'd like pupils to be able to train independently so that on days when the running club isn't happening there's still a safe place for them to go,away from traffic.
"We have raised almost £20,000 but we think we more, so this bursary is very welcome.
"As our school grounds are open to the public in the evenings and weekend's this project would be of genuine benefit to the health of the wider Northfield Community.
The school received £500 from the Bursary with a further £250 won by pupil Mia Mcdermid who won the competition to design the logo for the MPH primary schools 1.5km races.
Our photo shows Mia receiving her prize from Bert McIntosh of MPH along with her parents and staff from Westpark School.
Other organisations to benefit from the 2020 Run Balmoral bursary are:
Active Schools Aberdeenshire Central: New Scots Project.
Mackie Academy: Transport to Run Balmoral.
Bervie Primary School: Athletics kit for lunchtime running club.
Torphins School Parent Council:Sportshall athletics kit.
St Joseph's RC Primary: Sports equipment.
Aberdeen Lads Club: Sports equipment.
Bramble Brae Young Joggers: Transport to Run Balmoral, resource pack and pedometers.
Manor Park Primary: Transport to Run Balmoral and running bibs.
Hill of Banchory Primary: transport to inter schools cross country.
Lumphanan Leopards: Hi viz vests and headtorches; Metro Aberdeen Running Club: Transport to Run Balmoral for young athletes.
Time is running out if you want the chance of winning an amazing two-hour helicopter flight simulation experience for you and your friends?
Everyone who signs up for the Run Balmoral Bristow 15 mile trail race before midnight on 31st January will be entered into a prize draw with the winner receiving a two-hour flight simulation package for four people at the company’s Dyce HQ.
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.
So, don't delay, enter today at www.runbalmoral.com
Nostalgia time. It's 1998. The first Run Balmoral meeting on snow-covered Deeside. Sue Barker hosts the live BBC TV coverage. But do you recognise the two youngsters passing by? One is tall with a green jacket and cap. The other is smaller, head bowed and also wearing a cap.
I was there. Ran the corporate challenge 10 miler Think that was the day Paula Radcliffe broke the 5k world record
Wills & Harry.....
Won an age cat prize and had to wait 3 months for my prize........the same the following year!
I was there and ran the 10 miler
Won my age cat and had to wait 3 months for my prize!
Is it you and Jackie, Peter? 😉
Yup me too-10 mile in 67.59-nowadays only just manage 10k in that time!
Yip will and harry
Michelle Birnie-Mack
Come run a 10k or 5k in spectacular surroundings at Run Balmoral - we still have some spaces to fill, if you’d like to support us and be part of #teamKWS drop us an email to tracey@kayleighsweestars.co.uk or message us! 💖
Why not give your Run Balmoral 2020 race preparations a boost by joining in some inspirational practical training runs to help you through the dark winter evenings?
Run Balmoral is proud to have joined forces with Hidden Peak Running to offer this service to runners in north east Scotland
Hidden Peak Running is managed by two of Scotland's most experienced international distance runners, Robbie Simpson and Fraser Clyne.
They welcome all runners to their regular sessions in the Aberdeen and Banchory areas, each of which lasts for one hour. The runs are varied and interesting and all abilities are catered for.
Details of the sessions can be found here:
www.facebook.com/groups/hiddenpeakrunning/events/
I've ticked interested, but exactly how fit do I need to be? I've ran Balmoral 10K the last 2 years but my times average 1.15, ....
Mark Thomson
Pauline Irving
It's the first day of 2020, so what are you going to do?
SIGN UP FOR RUN BALMORAL!
Fulfill that New Year's Resolution and do it today.
You don't want to miss out on one of Scotland's iconic running events.
Do it now - www.runbalmoral.com
Paul are you in it again this year? I'm thinking of the trail run again.
Rhoda Lawson are we going to go for it 🏃♀️
Yvonne McMillan lets do it!!!!
Shirley Richardson fancy it - this is my favourite 10k
Ok
Alison Aitken
Donna Duncan Corrine Wilkie
Chelsea Kee
Lucy Smith Jamie Philip
Bob Watson Rie King
Motivated to run in 2020?
Then get your New Year off to an exciting start by signing up for Run Balmoral over the weekend of 18th-19th April.
Choose one or more of our exciting races - or if you feel super motivated - join the hardy band of competitors tackling the Devil of Deeside Challenge by facing up to the Chrysaor 5km, the Stena Drilling 10km, the Apollo duathlon and the Bristow 15 mile trail race.
Yes, that's four races over two days: that'll really impress your friends.
It's an awesome weekend with 5,000 runners and an equal number of spectators. Aside from the arce we have a fun packed Event Village offering lots of entertainment for youngsters.
Check out all the details on www.runbalmoral.com
Debbie Wilkinson not quite the exciting start to the new year I was hoping for 🤪
Claire.. lets do it! That hill tho 🤦♀️ 🏃♀️
Charlotte Imlach Tracy Spence Jacqui Henderson ❤️
Paul Smith you checked out the photo?
Amy Lawrence
Faye Buchan
Lynn Downie 🏃🏻♀️ 🏃🏻♀️
Jo Bertram Charley Peppitt 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Corrine Wilkie Sandra Stephen
Monika Skikaite Ieva Juknaite
Fancy setting yourself a target for keeping fit? Why not sign up to #RunBalmoral on 18th April 2020?! We would #LOVE it if you would run on our behalf - you would be keeping fit and supporting an amazing charity run by truly wonderful volunteers in Braemar!
We even have a JustGiving page set up to make it easier for you and we can supply you with details on how to register! Every Braemar Castle Castle runner gets a pink team t-shirt....!
VisitAberdeenshire VisitCairngorms Run Balmoral
RunBalmoral...where champions are born. Eilish McColgan runs one of her first races...with mum Liz.
Follow in her footsteps by signing up today at www.runbalmoral.com
Congratulations to 11 year-old Mia Mcdermid from Westpark School in Aberdeen, winner of the 2020 Run Balmoral MPH primary schools 1.5km t-shirt design competition.
Mia's design will be worn by 1000 runners in the popular race to be held on Saturday 17th April.
Mia won £250 for her school - the cash going towards a fund to develop a running track in the school grounds.
She also received a Run4it goody bag and a free entry to the race.
Mia was presented with the award by Bert McIntosh of sponsors MPH Ltd along with Lucy Taylor from Run4It.
She was accompanied by brother Drew, dad Mark, mum Kimberley, Assistant Head Teacher Alice Atkinson and colleagues from Westpark School.
Well done Mia! ❤️🏃🏻♀️
Mia! This is fabulous! Congratulations!
Well done Mia, Fantastic 🎉
Well done mia this is fab xx
Well done Mia, I’m soo proud of you!!☺️☺️xxx
Brilliant, well done Mia.x
Well done Mia 👍🏆🏅
Well done Mia!
Well done Mia x
Well done Mia.
Well done Mia
Holly Hillson-Dawson 😁
Oh wow!! Very well done Mia!!
Fancy a two-hour helicopter flight simulation experience for you and your friends?
Then sign up now for the Bristow 15 mile trail race at the 2020 Run Balmoral meeting on 19th April.
Everyone entering the race before midnight on 31st January will be entered into a prize draw with the winner receiving a two-hour flight simulation package for four people at the company’s Dyce HQ.
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.
Enter at www.runbalmoral.com
Last call for Sports Bursary applications - Bids for running projects must be receive by midnight on Saturday (30th November).
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.
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 involvement 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
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. "
Kelly Yule Laura Muirhead does running club require any equipment?
Susan Jane Davidson
Gary Boden
Angie
Drumblade PS Parents?
RunBalmoral 2020 Young People’s Sports Bursary - Closing date for applications is 30th November.
There's not long to go until the closing date for our Sports Bursary programme, so get your application in quickly. Full details below:
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/January 2020.
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.
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