27 & 28 April 2024
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.
What’s New?:
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.
NFU Mutual 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
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 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 / 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.
We are thrilled to announce that entries have now opened for Run Balmoral 2024. The event will take place over the weekend of April 27-28 and we are already putting our plans in place to welcome thousands of runners back to the magnificent grounds of the Balmoral estate for what promises to be another wonderful occasion.The 2023 event was extremely successful with lots of positive feedback from many runners and spectators who enjoyed the family atmosphere which makes this such a special event.
We will once again hold races for all ages groups, over a variety of distances. So, no matter what your preference, there’s something for you at Run Balmoral. And, of course, the John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside offers the ultimate challenge.
We will be continuing with our series of special medals depicting notable landmarks within and around the Balmoral Estate. Look out for details coming soon as to what will be on the 2024 medal.
So, don’t delay. Sign up today
James Knowles
Chairman, Balmoral Road Races Ltd
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) is the People’s Helicopter – saving and improving lives in every corner of Scotland, 365 days a year.
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.
JAMIE CROWE LEADS TOP CLASS ENTRY AT RUN BALMORAL
Great Britain international Jamie Crowe, pictured, will attempt to repeat his remarkable 2023 triple crown of victories when he competes in this weekend’s 25th anniversary Run Balmoral races which have attracted more than 5,000 entrants.
The Dundee-based athlete was flying high 12 months ago when he set a course record time of 14min 20secs to win the Harbour Energy 5k before going on to take top spot in the Stena Drilling 10k little more than one hour later. He completed his hat-trick the following day with an emphatic victory in the Bristow 15-mile trail race.
The reigning Scottish cross country champion has once again signed up for all three races but isn’t sure if he is in peak form after sustaining a nasty head injury a few weeks ago. He said: “I’ve been doing a bit more running in the hills lately but I fell one day and landed hard on my face. The impact was just above my eye and I had to go to hospital to get it checked out. I was off running for a while because I was feeling dizzy and sick but everything is fine now.”
Having set a record time in the 5k last year, Crowe hinted that he may aim at a different target on this occasion, with former Banchory athlete Robbie Simpson’s 10k record of 31min 17sec, which has stood since 2014, in his sights. He said: “I fancy having a go at the 10k record but we’ll have to see how everything is on the day.”
Crowe faces some formidable opposition with Aberdeen AAC’s Scotland international Sean Chalmers also planning to tackle all three races while Great Britain mountain and trail running stalwart Andy Douglas (Inverclyde AC) has entered the 10k and 15 mile runs. Chalmers won the 5k in 2022 and finished second behind Douglas in the 15 mile race that same year.
Douglas, who is based in Edinburgh but comes from Caithness, has been a regular competitor at Run Balmoral having notched four 10k and three 15 mile victories since his first success in 2010.
Jenny Bannerman hopes to have shrugged off recent fitness worries by delivering a strong performance in the women’s 5k. The Inverness Harriers club member is another athlete with an impressive record at Balmoral, having achieved six podium positions, including two wins, over the past 10 years.
Gemma Cormack (Moray Road Runners), the 2015 champion, should also be in the reckoning for the top 5k prize after finishing second last year. The Moray Road Runners athlete has been competing with distinction at Balmoral since she was a teenager, winning the secondary schools 2.5k in 2006. This year she plans to add to her range of honours by competing in the 10k and 15 mile trail races as well as the 5k.
The ultimate test over the Run Balmoral weekend, however, is the John Clark Devil of Deeside Challenge in which competitors tackle the 5k and 10k on Saturday, followed by the Apollo duathlon and Bristow 15 mile trail race on Sunday. One hundred hardy athletes will take this on, with Sam Milton bidding to lift the men’s title for the third year in a row. The Hopeman athlete, who represents Moray Road Runners, set a record time of 3hr 47min 47secs for this gruelling event last year.
Aberdeen-based Polish competitor Estera Zak defends the women's title, while Huntly's Jacoline Dey (Insch Trail Running Club), who was third in 2023,challenges for a podium spot again. Sally Wallis (Deeside Runners), winner of the women's 15 mile trail race in 2022, is another who is more than capable of taking top spot.
Alex Henthorn, from Aberdeen’s Harlaw Academy, returns to defend his title in the NFU Mutual 2.5k secondary schools race in which he’ll again be challenged by his Aberdeen AAC clubmate Struan McKay (Hazlehead Academy) who was runner-up in 2023. Another Aberdeen AAC runner, Nathan Lawson (Aberdeen International School), could be also a strong contender for the title following his clearcut win in the P&J RunFest 5k earlier in the month. The top two from last year’s girls’ race, Jessica Needs (Aberdeen AAC/Peterhead Academy) and Emily Christie (Falkirk Victoria Harriers/St Mungo’s High), will renew their rivalry.
Banchory Stonehaven AC’s Eilidh Murdoch (Braemar School) will attempt to win the MPH primary schools 1.5k girls’ title for a second time while Cullen Bowie (Young Meldrum Runners/Old Rayne), who was second in the boys’ race 12 months ago, will hope to go one place better in the absence of title-holder Patrick Kennedy (Banchory Stonehaven AC).
All finishers will receive the fourth in a series of specially designed medals featuring well-known landmarks in and around the estate. Previous medals have shown Lochnagar, Balmoral Castle and Albert’s Cairn. This year’s medal showcases Crathie Kirk. Devil of Deeside participants receive an additional special ‘Devil’ medal.
The races are held against the stunning backdrop of the Balmoral estate which offers dramatic scenery in one of Britain’s most iconic locations.
More details here: www.runbalmoral.com ... See MoreSee Less
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2 !!! 𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕠 !!!
Get off to a flying start in the Stena Drilling 10k with a Bristow helicopter fly-past!
Bristow is sponsoring the 15 mile and 3 mile trail races being held on Sunday 28 April, but will, subject to operational requirements, send an aircraft to fly over the 10k start line on Saturday 27 April.
It should be an amazing experience and is another exciting feature which makes Run Balmoral one of the country's top participation sporting attractions.
Another Bristow helicopter is to be on the ground at Balmoral over the entire weekend and runners, their families and friends will all be able to inspect the aircraft.
#runbalmoral2024 #runbalmoral #aberdeenrunning #aberdeenshirerunning #balmoralcastle ... See MoreSee Less
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Photos from Run4It's post ... See MoreSee Less
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3 !!! 𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕠 !!!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING WATER AT RUN BALMORAL
We are continuing to work on an improved environmental sustainability strategy for Run Balmoral which includes significantly reducing the use of plastic water bottles.
So, runners are expected to be mainly self-sufficient in providing water or any other drinks of their choice this year. If you feel you need water before,during or after your run, please bring your own supplies and drinks container to carry with you.
The only race in which water is to be supplied is the Bristow 15 mile trail race - water will be supplied in cups at approx miles four and seven.
Please do not throw any water bottles/debris into the grass or heather. Drop them where you run where they will be visible and they will be picked up - or drop them off at a marshal point or any of the signposts.
Water for emergency purposes will be available at First Aid points.
This has worked well for the past two years and we would like to thank you all for your cooperation.
AND REMEMBER!!
Our # for this year will be #runbalmoral2024
💡 Remember to tag us in all your photos and videos 🤩
#runbalmoral2024 #runbalmoral #aberdeenrunning #aberdeenshirerunning #balmoralcastle ... See MoreSee Less
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If we bring our own cups for the 15 miler, can we refill them at the water points? Save even more cups 🙂
Is there anywhere for runners to store a bag while they run at all?
Environmental friendly or cost cutting exercise?😂😂
There will be water bowsers at the start where you can fill your containers. No cups on the hill I'm afraid
Water provided in cups ? Did that a few years ago at Glenmore 24 and by time you got to water station it was swimming with midges
On the 10K, will there be water available at the top of the HILL , with a donation to the person who carried it up there? As even with a water bottle being carried on your person, could easily be drunk by then,
Stephen Ivor
Gerard McGhee
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4 days to go....
Who has got the full set?
This year's Run Balmoral medal features Crathie Kirk.
It's the fourth in a set of five collectable medals we have produced, each showing a well known landmark in and around the Balmoral estate.
Previous year's medals have featured Lochnagar, Balmoral Castle and Albert 's Cairn.
Have you got all three so far? Will you be adding a fourth this weekend?
Go on, show us your medals!
Our # for this year will be #runbalmoral2024
💡 Remember to tag us in all your photos and videos 🤩
#runbalmoral2024 #runbalmoral #aberdeenrunning #aberdeenshirerunning #balmoralcastle ... See MoreSee Less
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I don't remember the Lochnagar one at all! This will be the 10th anniversary of my first Run Balmoral. Not my 10th of course because of Covid, that's next year!
Sad to be missing this year 😔
Rachael Lillian Mackenzie
4 days to go...
Who has got the full set?
This year's Run Balmoral medal features Crathie Kirk.
It's the fourth in a set of five collectable medals we have produced, each showing a well known landmark in and around the Balmoral estate.
Previous year's medals have featured Lochnagar, Balmoral Castle and Albert 's Cairn.
Have you got all three so far? Will you be adding a fourth this weekend?
Go on, show us your medals!
Our # for this year will be #runbalmoral2024
💡 Remember to tag us in all your photos and videos 🤩
#runbalmoral2024 #runbalmoral #aberdeenrunning #aberdeenshirerunning #balmoralcastle ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
𝟝 !!! 𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕠 !!!
Are you ready ?
🏃🏼♀️ 🏃🏻♂️ Which race are you running ?
Let us know in the comments ⬇️
**our # for this year will be #runbalmoral2024 💡 Remember to tag us in all your photos and videos 🤩
#runbalmoral2024 #runbalmoral #aberdeenrunning #aberdeenshirerunning #balmoralcastle ... See MoreSee Less
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10k as always with “the hill ⛰️” since 1999 🏃🏼♂️🏃🏼♂️😃
10k and 15 miler. What shoes would you recommend for each of them - road or trail?
I'll be running the 5k this year, first time in a good few years!
10k in Valaris team!!!
5k again. Did it last year injured. This year just fat 🤣
YoungMeldrum Runners are ready! 😊👍
10k again!
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Balmoral sits on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park and you will not find a better back drop for an event – the landscape, heritage, communities and folk of the Cairngorms make this a truly special place.
So, if you are visiting for our races, why not make the most of your time here – there is so much to do.
You'll find more information here:
www.visitcairngorms.com/plan-your-visit/about-the-cairngorms-national-park/come-for-an-event-stay... ... See MoreSee Less
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Friskis Aberdeen is proud to have supported and led the warm- ups for the races at Run Balmoral since 2005....wow, that's almost 20 years !
And now the team is really looking forward to taking the warm-ups once again.
There's only two weeks to go until the big event. So why not boost your training with a Friskis exercise class?
Our fun classes in Aberdeen provide all-round training set to motivating music, and are ideal for runners by improving core strength and flexibility. Enjoy a free class on us - just tell the leader which race you have entered.
Check out our Facebook page @fsaberdeen or see link below for our class list.
www.friskissvettis.co.uk/aberdeen/timetable
Friskis&Svettis is a not-for-profit organisation providing high quality, low cost, Pay-As-You-Go fitness classes in Grampian for 40 years and is part of the biggest exercise association in Sweden.
What are you waiting for?
WELCOME to Friskis and RunBalmoral! ... See MoreSee Less
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