Balerno Bling
Take on a 6 mile classic to get your hands on this bejewelled medal...
This year's Balerno Gala Rigg Race will take place on Monday 20 May. The race, usually run as part of the Balerno Gala Festivities, is a colourful affair with fancy dress encouraged!
The Edinburgh event's history is long... organisers say: "We’re not sure when the first race was held but it started life as a walking event held on the Gala Day for workers at Balerno Mill. The route of the course has changed many times, and for several years was run in the reverse direction to today's race.
"In 1998 the decision was made to organise the event as a fundraiser for the Gala and so it became an SAF permitted event, attracting 130 entries. The rest is history!"
The 6 mile race's course starts in Malleny Park with runners heading up through Balerno towards the Pentland hills, past the ruins of the Marchbank Hotel. Turning right at the Red Moss, a protected site of scientific interest, runners then head along East Rigg with breathtaking views of the Pentland Hills on their left.
At the end of this long gently climbing straight the course turns right, and following a last small incline, the first down hill is reached. Another tree-lined straight leads back to Balerno and the relief of a long gentle descent towards the village centre and back to Malleny Park.
All those taking part will receive a medal or memento and there will be category prizes and trophies. You can see this year's medal in the image above - a real piece of bling.
140 runners took part in 2023 with James Dunn of Corstorphine AAC taking the win in 30:14 while first female was Natalie Stewart of Peneciuk Harriers in 36:37. Plenty of east coast clubs were represented with Edinburgh AC, Carnegie Harriers, Portobello Running Club and Hunters Bog Trotters all in attendance, to name just a few.
If you'd like to know more, visit the Harmeny AC website.
Image: Balerno Rigg Race Facebook