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.
SIX WEEKS TO GO - BUT IT’S FILLING FAST.
Don't delay any longer if you want to be part of Run Balmoral 2025!
There's just six weeks to go until north east Scotland's biggest running festival gets underway.
But many of the races are filling up fast and entries will be closed as soon as our capacities are reached.
So, avoid disappointment by signing up today.
Go to www.runbalmoral.com
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KARLEY RECEIVES HER RUN BALMORAL ÐESIGN COMPETITION PRIZES
Karley Paterson from Charleston School in Cove, Aberdeen,was today presented with her prizes for winning our Event Programme design competition.
Karley's imaginative design portrayed a stag with race medals hanging from its antlers,set against a backdrop of Balmoral Castle.
This will feature on the front page of our Event Programme and on the Event Information leaflet distributed to all race entrants.
Karley, accompanied by mum Heather, received her prizes from Fraser Clyne of the Run Balmoral Management Team. She was presented with a framed copy of her design, along with a personal cheque for £50 cheque and a £100 cheque for her chosen charity, which is BB14.
BB14 was set up in memory of Cove teenager Ben Bradford, who passed away in his sleep last year. Ben was a keen footballer, and the charity aims to support families and their children by offering free sports and recreation services that they may not be able to afford on their own. It is also supporting fundraising towards a community sports campus in Cove.
Karley will be running in the MPH primary schools 1.5k race at Balmoral next month.
Entries for this year's Run Balmoral Event, on 27-27 April, can be made at www.runbalmoral.com
Link in Instagram bio.
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Nice design 👌
Well done Karley! 👏
Well done Karley 👏❤️
Well done Karley 👏👏👏
👏👏
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It's exciting.
It's new.
It's the Bilfinger 6 mile trail race at Balmoral.
The Bilfinger 6 mile trail race is happening for the first time in 2025, taking you on an awesome run along the banks of the River Dee before climbing up through woodland paths, passing close to many of the famous Cairns on the Balmoral Estate.
It's a two lap course which means your family and friends get plenty of opportunities to cheer you on.
Don't miss this chance to be among the first people to complete this fantastic race.
Sign up today at www.runbalmoral.com
Bilfinger
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Shame it's a 2 lap route. I really enjoyed the 3 mile last year but don't think psychologically I could do it twice! 😆
It's me! My small claim to fame lol
Steven J Shanks plenty of waving for Frida
Terri Forbes
Kerry Reid
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Balmoral race founder, Brendan Foster is delighted to see the Deeside event is continuing to flourish - 20 years after his management company handed the festival of running over to local organisers.
The Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist and European 5,000m champion was the driving force behind setting the event up in 1998 when Paula Radcliffe headlined a star-studded cast of elite international athletes who competed in a series of top class races televised live on BBC Grandstand.
Brendan, who also founded the Great North Run and was knighted in 2020 for services to international and national sport, and to culture in North East England, has fond memories of the early Balmoral races.
He said:"It was a magical setting, with snow on the ground for the first event in 1998.I recall the young Princes, William and Harry, being there playing in the snow. Paula set a world five mile record to top off a great day."
A host of Olympic medallists and world record holders performed at Balmoral over the following seven years, establishing the event as one of Britain's premier athletics meetings.
It came to an end in 2004, but the following year a local management group kept the event alive by rebranding it as a series of races, primarily for club and recreational runners.
Brendan added:"It's a beautiful backdrop for running, and I'm proud that we were able to get the event off the ground and that it continues to be successful, attracting 5000 entrants.
"It was a fantastic event for us, with TV coverage, attracting world and Olympic champions, and it's fantastic to hear that it is now a thriving community event."
You can enter this year's Balmoral races at www.runbalmoral.com
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Every year for 27 years, well done to all the Crew, past-present-future ⭐️
I never realised Brendon Foster was the founder of the Balmoral race events. As they say you learn something new every day.
I did it two years running...a 5 miler I thing.. gorgeous up there. 🏴👍😘👏👏
Oh I didn't know he was founder of this race. I knew he founded the great north run
Fraser Clyne ⬆️
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EMILY IS OUR CORPORATE HOSPITALITY WINNER
Emily Smith, from Kirriemuir, has won our competition for two Corporate Hospitality tickets at this year's Run Balmoral race weekend.
Emily and husband Jamie are both taking part in the Stena Drilling 10k, so they'll both be able to relax afterwards with tasty refreshments provided by our top quality caterers.
Emily is delighted to have won and is eagerly looking forward to the event.
She said: "We did it for the first time last year and loved it."
Thank you to everyone who took part. We appreciate your support.
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Well done Emily! 👏
Jamie Smith 🙌
KARLEY WINS EVENT PROGRAMME DESIGN COMPETITION
Karley Paterson from Charleston School in Cove, Aberdeen, has won our Event Programme design competition.
But the judges had an incredibly tough decision to make as the quality of entries was so high.
So, in addition to the main prize,we have decided to award free race places to two secondary school pupils and two primary school pupils whose entries received commendations from our panel.
And all prize winners will see their work included in the Event Programme which will be published digitally on our website.
Karley's design ( Picture No. 1) shows a stag with race medals hanging from its antlers, whilevBalmoral Castle provides a backdrop.
The secondary schools runners-up were Zac Smith (Picture No.2) and Kasey Carter (3), both from Hazlehead Academy. The primary school runners-up are Poppy Chalmers, Picture No. 4, (Balmedie) and Zoe Budd Speed. Picture No. 5, (Tarland).
Karley's winning design will feature on the front page of the Event Programme and on the Event Information leaflet distributed to all race entrants.
Karley, who also won one of our design competitions in 2024, will receive a cheque for £50 and another cheque for £100 goes to a charity of her choice which is BB14.
BB14 was set up in memory of Cove teenager Ben Bradford, who passed away in his sleep last year. Ben was a keen footballer, and the charity aims to support families and their children by offering free sports and recreation services that they may not be able to afford on their own. It is also supporting fundraising towards a community sports campus in Cove.
We would like to thank all the young artists - and their parents and teachers - who took the time to submit entries.
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Congratulations Karley and to the runner ups 🏅you are so talented with your designs and with your athletics always giving 100%. Good luck with your run and lovely to support BB14 🥰
Well done, Karley, fantastic drawing and a great charity, Charleston Primary would be proud of you too!
WARNING
We have been told that some folk who have entered our Corporate Hospitality competition via Facebook have received suspicious messages informing them that they have won a prize and then requesting credit card details.
PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE MESSAGES. THIS IS A FRAUDULENT ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN YOUR CREDIT CARD DETAILS.
Run Balmoral will never ask you for credit card or banking details in connection with this or any other competition.
We have now blocked the scammer and reported them to Facebook.
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Thanks for acting so quickly.
Thank you for confirming I have been told I’ve won a prize
THERE'S A LEGION OF DEVILS HEADING FOR DEESIDE
We are on track for a record number of runners in the John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside Challenge - but there's still time to join them.
You can be part of one of Scotland's epic distance running competitions, testing your speed and endurance over two gruelling days.
It starts off on Saturday 26 April with the Harbour Energy 5k followed by the Stena Drilling 10k.
Then, it's on to Sunday 27 April for the new format which sees competitors tackle the Bilfinger 6 mile trail race, before finishing off with the Bristow 15 mile trail race.
It's an epic adventure taking you to the far reaches of the Balmoral Estate and rewards you with the amazing satisfaction of having achieved something special. And, you will have earned the right to pick up a much cherished Devil medal.
There's also great prizes for the leading finishers (based on aggregated times across all four races).
But fear not. If you prefer a quieter, Devil-free weekend, you can always enter one or other of the races on offer.
Sign up today on www.runbalmoral.com
Link in our Instagram bio.
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