This weekend runners will come together to remember one of their own at the Chris Smith Daviot Dash near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. Smith, an experienced mountain runner, died in the hills around Glen Lyon in October 2020 while out on a training run.

Organised by Daviot Community Trust, Saturday's race will see runners enjoy a hilly 5K on the quiet roads around Daviot Estate where Chris spent many happy hours when he was growing up. Last year's inaugural staging was a great success with runners enjoying the scenic, undulating route. The 5K course consists of two laps over a mixture of grass, gravel paths and tarmac roads.

Following his death, Chris’s family and friends wanted to mark the impact he had on so many people and so the Chris Smith Memorial Fund was born. Thanks to their initial efforts, over £7000 was raised to renovate the old pump house in the grounds of Daviot House, transforming it into a place of reflection and remembrance – with a new seating area and a plaque celebrating the athlete's legacy. So those taking part in the Dash will be able to take some time to reflect and remember the race's namesake before or after the event.

The aim of the fund continues to be the advancement of any running related sport, primarily to children or young people, based in the UK, for the public benefit through the provision of grants or donations to assist in training, participation in competition, or preparation for running related activities.

There is still time to enter the Chris Smith Daviot Dash, find out more about the race here.

More information about the Chris Smith Memorial Fund can be found here.

Image: Chris Smith Memorial Fund