Pint-sized superheroes pounded the paths of a much-loved Aberdeen park at the weekend to raise funds for its ongoing regeneration.
More than 800 athletes of all ages donned running shoes – and in many cases superhero costumes – to take part in the Dandara 5k at Hazlehead Park.
Organisers said the annual event had been a huge success, raising more than £20,000 towards the park’s coffers.
Around 2,000 supporters turned up to cheer on the 300 children and 500 adults who took part in Saturday’s event, organised by the Friends of Hazlehead and Sport Aberdeen.
As well as the 5k, there were also 1k and 2k children’s races and 600m fun run.
Later, the annual Friends of Hazlehead fundraising ball – which also featured a superhero theme – took place in the city’s Chester Hotel.
Donald Shaw, chairman of the Friends of Hazlehead, said: “We are completely overwhelmed by the number of people who came out in support of the park over the weekend – it really demonstrates just how important the park is to so many people in the city.
“The Dandara 5k and family fun day was fantastic and it was great to see the park being used by so many runners of all ages and abilities, we’d like to thank each of them for making the event such a success.
“This year our fundraising ball raised more than £10,000 and that’s money which will be invested straight into the park.”.
Since being set up in 2012, the park regeneration group has secured more than £500,000 towards Hazlehead’s transformation.
This has gone towards revamping Pets’ Corner, which is now home to a giant python, the creation of memory paths, the replanting of the Queen Mother Rose Garden, the restoration of the fountain and the creation of a running track.
But Mr Shaw said there was still more work to be done.
He added: “We’ve still got areas we want to develop to make it a place people can be proud to spend time in, and the funds raised this weekend will certainly help us put some of those plans in place.”
Future plans include the development of an information and education centre in Pets’ Corner, opportunities for local school children to have their sculptures featured in the park’s Art Quarter, more lighting along paths and tree thinning.
