Thousands of runners took part in the 22nd edition of the Run Balmoral races which were staged at the weekend.
Held at the famous Deeside estate, the action got underway with almost 1,000 primary school children participating in a 1.5km race.
Aberdeen’s Hugo Denniel, a pupil at Albyn school, was first to finish, completing the course in 5min 45secs.
Beth Collins, of Dundee Hawkhill Harriers club, won the girls’ event with a time of 5.59, -the fourth fastest time in the 14-year history of the race.
In the 2.5km, which was open to secondary school pupils, Banchory Stonehaven AC’s Kane Noble picked up gold alongside Fife AC runner Hayley Brow.
The winner of the men and women’s 5k was Alastair Hay and Morag Millar, and for the 10k race, Caithness-born Andrew Douglas and Aberdeen’s Claire Bruce picked up gold.
Sportswriter Fraser Clyne said: “Despite the rain, the weather didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits on Saturday.
“We had some great competition and some really great races.
“In the 5km event, Alastair Hay was just two seconds out from the record, and in the men’s 10k, Andrew Douglas was seven seconds away from the fastest time.
“The quality of races was really good and the turnout was impressive, especially in the primary school race, where we had nearly 1,000 kids take part.”
On Sunday, the races continued while the sun shone in much-improved weather conditions, with participants competing in the Apollo Duathlon, won by Alan Semple and Ruth McKenzie, and the 5km and 15-mile trail races.
All runners at the weekend’s races won the first of five brand new medal designs, which was adorned with an image of the Lochnagar mountains.
Enjoyed running the 10K at @RunBalmoral today and catching up with the @Sensation_ALL team. I’ll be doing some exciting fundraising for them later this year… pic.twitter.com/L6KlwccDt6
— Mark McDonald MSP (@MarkMcDMSP) April 27, 2019
Run Balmoral chairman James Knowles said: “The 2019 medal is the first of a special series over the next five years, each featuring an iconic landmark within and around the Balmoral estate.
“In subsequent years, we will include the Auld Brig o’Dee, Balmoral Castle, Crathie Kirk and Albert’s Cairn.
“I am sure that these will become collectible items and runners will want to acquire a complete set in the years ahead.”
