In December of 1319, Robert the Bruce granted Aberdeen the Forest of the Stocket and a number of other areas comprising what is known today as The Freedom Lands.
Some 700 years later Aberdeen-based running enthusiast, and lecturer at the Edinburgh University, Hayden Lorimer, will be running a marathon in celebration of the historic event that has shaped the city.
The lands are defined by 67 markers known as March Stones, many of which can still be seen today, and mark a boundary measuring approximately 26 miles.
Starting with the Alpha stone near the mouth of the River Dee and ending at the Omega, where the River Don meets the sea, it will be the first marathon that the former Scottish hill-running champion has undertaken.
Mr Lormimer was inspired to find out more about the cultural significance of the route as he sought to take in different parts of the city during lockdown.
The geography lecturer said: “Usually my preference for runs is short, steep and stupid so this will be a massive challenge.
“I have lived in Aberdeen for 22 years now and this is a project that has stemmed from working from home.
“Not wanting to follow the same running routes all the time, I came across the March Stones and the Freedom Lands that they serve as the boundary for.
“After doing some more research into them I found that coronavirus had put a halt on planned celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary so wanted to do something of my own.”
Taking to social media, the 49-year-old has posted about the research he has conducted as well as snippets of the route he will be tackling when he sets off this morning.
Setting about trying to find all of the stones was a task he admitted was “harder said than done”.
He added: “To my embarrassment, there is one at the top of my road that I hadn’t realised was there.”
During the construction of the AWPR, a number of the stones had to be moved to accommodate the bypass road, and this is something Mr Lorimer has factored into his route.
The first time marathon runner has been running around 75km a week in preparation – and hopes to see the finish line within four hours.
