Run Garioch have announced that entries to this year’s event are now open. In order to take advantage of better weather, the six-race festival of running has made a permanent move from its traditional March date to one in mid-May. 

The new date – Sunday, 15 May – will mark more than three years since runners last crossed the finish line at Inverurie’s Garioch Sports Centre.

The driving force behind Run Garioch 2022, according to Race Director Graham Morrison, is sustainability – for the race itself and for the environment.

He told runABC Scotland, “Run Garioch 2022 is very much about the race committee working in partnership with the community to help us all recover from the pandemic, in terms of rebuilding our mental and physical health, re-establishing community links and having the confidence to get involved.”   

In order to ensure that as many runners as possible can take part in the event after what have been difficult financial times, entry fees have been reduced across all races that make up Run Garioch: the Dandara 10K, PMC 5K, GSC Half Marathon and CP&Co. Junior Run.

New environmental initiatives will also help reduce Run Garioch’s carbon footprint and make it more environmentally sustainable. 

For the first time, race t-shirts will be optional extras that runners can purchase when they register online. The technical shirts for the adult races are made from recycled bottles for the adults; the cotton shirts for the kids races are 100% organic cotton. Neither shirt is air freighted or packed in plastic, and both are PETA vegan-approved.

Runners will also be asked to bring their own water, with organisers currently working on a number of incentives to encourage them to do so.  

Organisers further promised that any plastic bottles of water they do need to bring on site – whether it’s for the emergency services or thirsty runners at the finish – will be made from recycled materials, recycled when empty or both.

Morrison added, “We thank our runners, sponsors, patrons, charities and volunteers for their patience and support during what we know have been very difficult times for many, and can’t wait to welcome you back in a few months’ time.”