A runner in the Cairngorms National ParkImage: visitcairngorms.com

North East

Newsdesk

Race Listing for North East

Date Event Location Results
09 Nov 2024 Dava Way 50KCraig McLean Leisure Centre, GrantownResults
12 Nov 2024 Fetternear Shadow Series NovemberNetherton Business Centre, Kemnay
17 Nov 2024 Fraserburgh Half MarathonSouth Links Pavilion, Fraserburgh
24 Nov 2024 Alford Santa RunHaughton Holiday Park, Alford
06 Dec 2024 Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 3The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen
07 Dec 2024 North District XC League Race 3 PeterheadAden Park, Mintlaw
08 Dec 2024 Den DasherThe Gateway Centre, Turriff
10 Dec 2024 Fetternear Shadow Series DecemberNetherton Business Centre, Kemnay
15 Dec 2024 Aberdeen Santa RunAberdeen Beach Front (Footdee end), Aberdeen
26 Dec 2024 Nairn Turkey TrotMaggot Sports Ground, Nairn
28 Dec 2024 Brewdog Christmas RunBrewdog Castlegate, Aberdeen
02 Jan 2025 Lumphanan Detox 10KLumphanan Primary School, Lumphanan
04 Jan 2025 El-Brim-ick DashCraibstone Golf Club, Aberdeen
10 Jan 2025 Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 4The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen
14 Jan 2025 Fetternear Shadow Series JanuaryNetherton Business Centre, Kemnay
23 Jan 2025 Dess Woods Night RaceDess Woods, nr Aboyne
07 Feb 2025 Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 5The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen
11 Feb 2025 Fetternear Shadow Series FebruaryNetherton Business Centre, Kemnay
07 Mar 2025 Metro Aberdeen Proms 3K Winter Series Race 6The Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen
08 Mar 2025 D33 UltraDuthie Park, Aberdeen
11 Mar 2025 Fetternear Shadow Series MarchNetherton Business Centre, Kemnay
22 Mar 2025 Newburgh Beach Bash 10KGallows Hill Community Pavilion, Newburgh
05 Apr 2025 Clachnaben Hill RaceBy Strachan, South Deeside
13 Apr 2025 Moray MarathonMorriston Track, Elgin
26 Apr 2025 RunBalmoral 10K, 5K & School RacesBalmoral Castle Estate, Ballater
27 Apr 2025 RunBalmoral 15 Mile & 6 Mile Trail RacesBalmoral Castle Estate, Ballater
10 May 2025 Moray Coastal Trail 50Forres Community Centre, Forres
24 May 2025 Kirkhill 8Kirkhill Forest, Dyce
28 Jun 2025 Moray Way 100Forres Community Centre, Forres
28 Jun 2025 Moray Way 100 RelayForres Community Centre, Forres
16 Aug 2025 Speyside Way 50K & 100KTown Centre, Aviemore
14 Sep 2025 Half BraemarAthon, 10K & 10 MileBraemar 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

Members of Metro Aberdeen

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!

Metro Aberdeen
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.
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

Aberdeenshire

Moray

Running groups in the North East

jogscotland Fraserburgh Members

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!

jogscotland Fraserburgh
Where Catto Park Pavilion, beside Peterhead Football Club
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

Aberdeenshire

Moray

Other groups in the North East

Leisure facilities in the North East

Aberdeen Sports Village

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.

Aberdeen Sports Village
Address Linksfield Rd, Aberdeen, AB24 5RU
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
  • Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club
  • University of Aberdeen
  • Banchory and Stonehaven
  • Metro Aberdeen Running Club

Local authority leisure facilities in the North East

Aberdeen City

Aberdeenshire

Moray

Private Gyms/Leisure Centres

Outdoor and Indoor Running Tracks

Running services in the North East

Fit for Purpose providing massages at a race 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

Dietician/Nutritionist

Physiotherapy/Sports Massage

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.

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