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North East
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07 Nov 2024
Take Two For Alnwick's Santa Run
06 Nov 2024
Turn Up, Pay A Quid, Win A Rabbit…
01 Nov 2024
Run By The Light Of The Moon
25 Oct 2024
Beach Race's Birthday Bash
Race Listing for North East
Date | Event | Location | Results |
---|---|---|---|
09 Nov 2024 | Dava Way 50K | Craig McLean Leisure Centre, Grantown | Results |
12 Nov 2024 | Fetternear Shadow Series November | Netherton Business Centre, Kemnay | |
17 Nov 2024 | Fraserburgh Half Marathon | South Links Pavilion, Fraserburgh | |
24 Nov 2024 | Alford Santa Run | Haughton Holiday Park, Alford | |
06 Dec 2024 | Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 3 | The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen | |
07 Dec 2024 | North District XC League Race 3 Peterhead | Aden Park, Mintlaw | |
08 Dec 2024 | Den Dasher | The Gateway Centre, Turriff | |
10 Dec 2024 | Fetternear Shadow Series December | Netherton Business Centre, Kemnay | |
15 Dec 2024 | Aberdeen Santa Run | Aberdeen Beach Front (Footdee end), Aberdeen | |
26 Dec 2024 | Nairn Turkey Trot | Maggot Sports Ground, Nairn | |
28 Dec 2024 | Brewdog Christmas Run | Brewdog Castlegate, Aberdeen | |
02 Jan 2025 | Lumphanan Detox 10K | Lumphanan Primary School, Lumphanan | |
04 Jan 2025 | El-Brim-ick Dash | Craibstone Golf Club, Aberdeen | |
10 Jan 2025 | Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 4 | The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen | |
14 Jan 2025 | Fetternear Shadow Series January | Netherton Business Centre, Kemnay | |
23 Jan 2025 | Dess Woods Night Race | Dess Woods, nr Aboyne | |
07 Feb 2025 | Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 5 | The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen | |
11 Feb 2025 | Fetternear Shadow Series February | Netherton Business Centre, Kemnay | |
07 Mar 2025 | Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 6 | The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen | |
08 Mar 2025 | D33 Ultra | Duthie Park, Aberdeen | |
11 Mar 2025 | Fetternear Shadow Series March | Netherton Business Centre, Kemnay | |
22 Mar 2025 | Newburgh Beach Bash 10K | Gallows Hill Community Pavilion, Newburgh | |
05 Apr 2025 | Clachnaben Hill Race | By Strachan, South Deeside | |
13 Apr 2025 | Moray Marathon | Morriston Track, Elgin | |
26 Apr 2025 | RunBalmoral 10K, 5K & School Races | Balmoral Castle Estate, Ballater | |
27 Apr 2025 | RunBalmoral 15 Mile & 6 Mile Trail Races | Balmoral Castle Estate, Ballater | |
10 May 2025 | Moray Coastal Trail 50 | Forres Community Centre, Forres | |
24 May 2025 | Kirkhill 8 | Kirkhill Forest, Dyce | |
28 Jun 2025 | Moray Way 100 | Forres Community Centre, Forres | |
28 Jun 2025 | Moray Way 100 Relay | Forres Community Centre, Forres | |
16 Aug 2025 | Speyside Way 50K & 100K | Town Centre, Aviemore | |
14 Sep 2025 | Half BraemarAthon, 10K & 10 Mile | Braemar Stadium, Aberdeenshire |
About the area
Aberdeen might have lost its marathon in the 1990s, but the north-east - including Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray - has certainly not lost its love of running.
Aberdeenshire's motto is 'from mountain to sea, the very best of Scotland', and the same holds true for all the region's running. Every type of terrain imaginable is on offer in the north-east, including hills, beaches, dunes, quiet country roads, busy city streets, forestry track, disused railway lines and everything else in between.
As well as making for more interesting running, the region's varied landscape makes for very well-rounded runners. You're just as likely to get thrashed in a hill race by a Moray or Garioch Roadrunner as you are to be overtaken on the road by a Cosmic Hillbasher! The region's often 'challenging' weather means the runners of the north-east can be a determined lot, too, with many of them proud to say that if they can run in a North Sea haar or a Moray Firth gale they can run anywhere!
The region is characterised by lots of small towns and villages, many of which have their own clubs drawing members from their local area. Friendly rivalries abound - especially between the coastal towns of Fraserburgh and Peterhead - but there are also many examples of otherwise competing clubs working together to share facilities or coaching duties. Many of the clubs are also active in organising races and raising funds for charity, proud to welcome other runners to their home turf while enjoying the cheeky home court (or more than likely 'home hill') advantage!
With many members in and out of the area every few weeks for work offshore, another characteristic feature of the north-east's clubs is that they make visitors or otherwise irregular attendees feel very welcome. Anyone visiting Aberdeen on business or pleasure is welcome to join in with the familiar black and yellow shirts of Metro - our featured club - on one of their training nights in the heart of the city.
And finally, 'phenomenon' is the only word we can really use to describe the success of jogscotland north of 57°. Moray and Aberdeen City each host around a dozen JS groups offering support to novice runners; Aberdeenshire itself boasts over two dozen, with the newest group - Inverurie's Garioch Gazelles jogscotland - formed just a few months ago.
In this section of the site runABC Scotland focuses on the north-east - its clubs, running groups, facilities and services.
Running clubs in the North East
There are more than a dozen well established running clubs in the north-east of Scotland. They create a network of provision that lets anyone who wants to run fairly seriously join liked-minded people for training and race competition.
Being part of a club is a great way of motivating yourself and improving your performance. Clubs will usually meet twice a week, often for programmed sessions, and there can be opportunities for other organised runs. It's also a great way to make friends and to get involved in social activities.
Clubs come in various shapes and sizes - some focus exclusively on road and trail running others have junior sections and take part in a range of track and field events. Hill running is a big part of some clubs; and drinking (Aberdeen Hash House Harriers) central to others!
Where | Tuesday (Aberdeen Sports Village, Linksfield Road), Thursday (Hazlehead Park) and Sunday (Duthie Park) as well as occasional summer runs in local forests and hills. |
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When | Tuesday (6.30pm), Thursday (5.45pm) and Sunday (10am) |
Members | 160 |
Ages | Everyone, 8 and up |
Level | Expectation for the Tuesday run is the ability to run six miles, but there's a rota system in place to accompany new or slower members before they progress to the next group. Potential members, 'second-claim' runners and visitors to the city are welcome at any session, particularly the Thursdays. Sundays are aimed mainly at junior members, but all are welcome. |
Club Competition | The Metro Club Standards, won by achieving certain times for the member's age group, from Grade 4 to Grade 1. Also the Metro Track Championships, a three-race series, requiring an accumulated time: 800 m, 1 mile and 3000 m for seniors and 400m, 800m and 1000m for juniors. We also have club championships for road racing, with the fastest over a 3K, 10K and half marathon becoming senior, veteran and super veteran champions. There's also a trophy for the most improved male and female runner, based on a percentage improvement from the previous year. |
Sessions | A mix of steady runs (6-10 miles), hill reps, speed (300m-3000m) and technique sessions. Similar-standard runners also meet up for longer runs. |
Social Events | Regular events and weekends away organised by committee members throughout the year, including the Annual Awards Night and Christmas nights out. The club also organises and pays for member transport to popular local and national races. |
Famous Names | Fraser Clyne was one of the country's leading marathon runners in the 1980s and early 1990s, setting a best time of 2hr 11min 50sec at Sacramento (1984). He represented Scotland and/or Great Britain in track, road, cross-country and mountain running disciplines at various distances and won numerous cups, races and titles. Although retired from competitive running, Fraser is still involved with the Club. |
Club Races | The Stork Technical Services Dyce half marathon (August) as well as a charity 5K (June), with proceeds going to Aberdeenshire Disability Sport. We organise a Winter Proms Series of 3K races the first Friday lunchtime of each month from October-March. This year we also organised a Spring Proms Series of 3K and 5K runs in conjunction with the Aberdeen Sports Village, with all profits going to Children 1st. Metro is heavily involved in the organisation of the Baker Hughes 10K, which attracts over 4000 runners each year. |
Running clubs in the North East
Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club
- Aberdeen Hash House Harriers
- Aberdeen University Athletics Club
- Cosmic Hillbashers
- Lynx Pack
- Metro Aberdeen Running Club
Aberdeenshire
- Banchory/Stonehaven Athletics Club
- Banchory Running Club
- Banff Academy
- Banff Road Runners
- Deeside Runners
- Ellon Amateur Athletics Club
- Fraserburgh Running Club
- Garioch Roadrunners
- Peterhead Athletics Club
- Stonehaven Running Club
Moray
- Elgin Amateur Athletics Club
- Forres Harriers
- Keith and District AAC
- Moray Roadrunners
- Moravian Orienteering Club
Running groups in the North East
No matter which race you attend in the north-east of Scotland, or even further afield, you're bound to come across a runner from Fraserburgh jogscotland. In fact, with 1000 members now on the books, you're likely to come across a whole bus full of them!
The group got its start in April 2010 when Gillian Cardno-Strachan and fellow runners from Fraserburgh Running Club noted the success of the jogscotland programme in neighbouring Peterhead. Rather than see local runners drive the 20 or so miles along the North Sea coast to take up the sport, they set about starting their own group. With the support of both Fraserburgh Running Club in providing the jog leaders (and funding their training) and Peterhead jogscotland (to help with organisation and paying for the jog leaders' kit), Fraserburgh jogscotland was born.
As with many jogscotland groups, Fraserburgh's success has exceeded all expectations. Notes Gillian: "We thought if we could get 50 people along to take the first steps to a healthier lifestyle, it would be fantastic. But on our first night, we had over 250 runners on the streets of Fraserburgh!"
The group offers the tried-and-tested 10-week Jog Scotland programme for taking absolute beginners to their first 10K through a progression from walking to running three times a year. As beginners improve, they move up to the intermediate and advanced groups also offered on the main Tuesday club night.
The idea of community is central to what makes Fraserburgh jogscotland so special. In just two years, they've raised over £20,000 for local good causes by organising fun runs and donating all the entry fees. Good relations with Fraserburgh Running Club also continue, with many runners members of both groups, and the Running Club opening up its interval sessions to intermediate jogscotland runners. Children, too, are part of the Fraserburgh jogscotland family. Under 14s can come along to club runs (with an adult) and the group (as well as the Running Club) is heavily involved with both the 'junior joggers' and athletics programmes at local schools.
Two years on, the group continues to thrive, booking buses to ferry members to local races and enjoying a full slate of social events. The original group of eight leaders has now expanded to 22, including many who have come up through the ranks as beginners. Attendance on their main club night is around 150 runners - most of whom were seen running along Fraserburgh beach wearing head torches on one memorable winter outing!
Where | Catto Park Pavilion, beside Peterhead Football Club |
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When | Tuesday 18.30 |
Members | 1000+ |
Levels/Sessions | All levels welcome - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced running groups cater to everyone |
And how does Gillian account for the group's success? She told us: "I think it's down to the organisation of our leaders and the willingness of our members to get involved and support each other. Our individual members succeed because of their own determination as well as the encouragement from everyone else. We've got great club spirit, too!" When asked to sum up the Fraserburgh jogscotland experience, she replies: "Friendly. Sociable. Encouraging. Successful." We couldn't have said it better ourselves!"
jogscotland groups in the North East
Aberdeen
- Airyhall Community Centre
- Alex Collie Centre
- Nuffields Gym
- RGU Sport
- Rosemount
- Run-4-It Aberdeen
- Union Row
- WFT Aberdeen (Double Tree Hotel)
- Queens Cross JogScotland
Aberdeenshire
Moray
Other groups in the North East
Leisure facilities in the North East
Having space to train and cross train is extremely important for runners. Luckily, there are lots of great centres and fitness clubs all over the country. From running tracks, to sports halls, gyms to fitness classes, there are an abundance of great facilities across the north east of Scotland. Aberdeen city has recently developed the Aberdeen Sports Village, incorporated into the site of the Chris Anderson Stadium.
Address | Linksfield Rd, Aberdeen, AB24 5RU |
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Opening Hours | Mon-Fri 06:30-22:30, Sat 07:30-19:30, Sun 07:30-21:30 |
Tel. | 01224 438900 |
Facilities Available | Fitness Suite, Sports Hall, Indoor Pitch, Chris Anderson Stadium, Indoor Track, Studios. Services Performance and Well-being Centre, including SPEAR sports injury clinic. |
Classes | Studio Cycling, Step, Boxfit, Ultimate Abs, Fitness Yoga/Pilates, Sports Conditioning, Aerobics, Evergreens Exercise (over 60's) |
Clubs based at the facility |
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Local authority leisure facilities in the North East
Aberdeen City
- Aberdeen Sports Village
- Alex Collie Sports and Community Centre
- Kincorth Sports Centre
- Peterculter Sports Centre
- Sheddocksley Sports Centre
- The Jesmond Centre
- Torry Youth and Leisure Centre
Aberdeenshire
- Banchory Sports Centre
- Ellon - Meadows Sports Centre
- Huntly Fitness Suite
- Inverbervie Sports Centre
- Laurencekirk - Mearns Sports Centre
- Porthlethen Academy Sports Facilities
- Stonehaven Leisure Centre
- Turriff Sports Centre
Moray
Private Gyms/Leisure Centres
- Curves - Aberdeen, Elgin, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead, Portlethen, Turriff, Westhill
- Warehouse Health Club, Aberdeen
- David Lloyd, Aberdeen
- Cannons Health Club, Aberdeen
- Bannatynes Fitness Club, Aberdeen
Outdoor and Indoor Running Tracks
- Balgownie Pavillion Track, Aberdeen
- Catto Park Track, Peterhead
- Chris Anderson Stadium, Aberdeen Sports Village
- Ellon Athletics Club Track, Ellon
- Gordonstoun School Athletics Track, Duffus
- Morriston Park Track, Elgin
Running services in the North East
There are a number of essential services - including physiotherapy, sports massage, nutrition, podiatry and personal training - that runners use regularly to keep in good condition. The north-east has a wide range of specialist service providers,
Chiropractor/Podiatrist
- Aberdeenshire Chiropractic Clinic, Inverurie
- Ellon Foot Clinic, 21 Market Street, Ellon, AB41 9JD. Tel: 01358 729312
- Peterhead Foot Clinic
- Pittodrie Podiatry Practice, Aberdeen
- Riverside Chiropractic Group, Aberdeen
- Step Right Podiatry Practice, Woodside Cottage, Wellheads, Buckie, AB56 5HB. Tel: 01542 850264
- The Garioch Clinic, 45 High Street, Inverurie, AB51 3QA Tel: 01467 625026
- The Shand Practice, Aberdeen
- Wood Podiatry, 291 Union Grove, Aberdeen, AB10 6TB Tel: 01224 315000
- The Foot Clinic, Mintlaw
- Food For Fitness, Aberdeen
- Positive Dietetics, Aberdeen
Physiotherapy/Sports Massage
- 1st Back Physio, Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Physiotherapy
- Aberdeen Sports Massage
- Aberdeen Sports Therapy
- Active Balance, Aberdeen
- Banks O' Dee Physiotherapy, Aberdeen
- Barclay Clinic, 78 Barclay Street, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire AB39 2AR. Tel: 01569 763332
- Beechgrove Physiotherapy and Osteopathy Clinic, Aberdeen
- Bowen Therapy, Aberdeen
- Elgin Chartered Physiotherapy, Grampian House, Grampian Road, Elgin, IV30 1XJ. Tel: 01343 559 700
- The Foot Clinic, Mintlaw
- Helping Hands, Aberdeen
- In Balance Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, Banchory and Aberdeen
- Inverurie Chartered Physiotherapy Clinic
- Moray Osteopaths, Elgin and Forres
- North East Mobile Physiotherapy, Aberdeen
- Spear Physiotherapy, Aberdeen
- Stonehaven Physiotherapy Clinic, 15 Mary St, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire AB39 2AT. Tel: 07732 744469
- The Therapy Centre, Elgin
- West End Physio, 124 Union Grove, Aberdeen, AB10 6SB. Tel. 01224 585 224
- Westhill Physiotherapy Ltd. Peter Nicol Squash & Fitness, Broadstraik, Skene, Westhill, Aberdeenshire AB32 6TD. Tel: 01224 742329
If you offer a service to runners in the north east of Scotland and would like to be included on this page, please contact us.