OVERALL EVENT SPONSORS RACE SPONSORS SUPPORTING SPONSORS Balmoral Road Races Ld RETAIL PARTNER Board of Direcors: James Knowles (Chair) I Richard Gledson. RunBalmoral Managemen Team: Alasair Simpson I Peer Jennings I Jackie Sewar I Garry Marsden I Fraser Clyne I Jane Fedo A N N U A L R E P O R T 2017 Phoography: Angus Forbes, www.angusforbesphoography.co.uk I Design and Producion: Limehouse Design, Dundee
Highlighs - Message from he Chairman This year we celebraed 20 years of he our races, bu i was a significan occasion for anoher reason in ha i marked Even Manager Alasair Simpson s final year a he helm of RunBalmoral. Wihou Alasair, RunBalmoral in all likelihood would no exis. When he original organisers decided o wihdraw, afer he 2004 even, Alasair was insrumenal in pulling ogeher a small group of local people who were deermined o ensure i coninued. Wih he backing of Alan Campbell, he hen Aberdeenshire Council Chief Execuive, Alasair ook over as Race Direcor in 2005 and has been in charge ever since. Over his period he has overseen a remendous growh in he scale and populariy of RunBalmoral and has been a key player in every aspec of he even. I perhaps ells you how big a role he played in ha he has been replaced by TWO people, Peer Jennings and Jackie Sewar, who I am sure will coninue Alasair s fanasic work. Alasair worked alongside Peer and Jackie hroughou he build-up o he 2017 races, passing on We enjoyed anoher successful even over he weekend of 22nd and 23rd April, wih 5,325 people enering our races and 4,123 compleing hem. This is a small increase on las year s figures and is he second highes number of finishers we have experienced since deailed records were firs kep in 2005. So, 77% of people who enered acually ook par. This is favourably comparable wih mos big races in he counry. We saw some op inernaional class ahlees compeing in he adul races and poenial sars of he fuure in he children s races. I was fanasic o see runners of all ages aking par and enjoying hemselves. I was paricularly amazed by he success of he Devil of Deeside Challenge, our new even, in which compeiors ook par in all four adul races over he wo days. Over 100 people signed up for his amazing es of endurance. We are exremely graeful ha our loyal sponsors have coninued wih heir fanasic suppor. Sena Drilling, ConocoPhillips, MPH Ld and Kongsberg Mariime have been involved for many years while Apollo have been wih us now for he pas hree years. For 2017 we were delighed o welcome Trac on board as sponsors of he 15 Mile Trail Race and he 3 mile Wee Trail Race. Also, Repsol Sinopec joined our family of sponsors by supporing our new even, he Devil of Deeside Challenge. We are hugely appreciaive of he conribuion from all of hem, as wihou heir backing his even could no ake place. I wish especially o hank Kongsberg Mariime who have long suppored he secondary schools even bu are unable o coninue o do so in 2018. We hope o be able o announce a new sponsor for his even in he very near fuure. There are many more groups, organisaions and service suppliers who conribue o he success of RunBalmoral and we have menioned hem all elsewhere in his documen. To each and every one, I wish o express my sincere hanks. We are now looking forward o, and planning, RunBalmoral 2018 and hope you will join us. his considerable experise and guiding hem hrough he myriad of asks which need o be handled o ensure he success of a major even. Fellow RunBalmoral Direcor, Richard Gledson, and I, wish o express our wholeheared hanks o Alasair, and his wife Alice, for all ha hey have done and I am sure we will welcome hem back as guess in he fuure. We also wish o hank he oher members of he Managemen Team - Garry Marsden, Fraser Clyne and Jane Fedo who have also made a major conribuion o he success of he even. The suppor we ge from he local communiy is also grealy appreciaed and we are delighed o be able o give somehing back hrough our Spors Bursary programme which is now in is hird year. Eleven projecs across he norh eas were suppored his year. We also coninue o srenghen our links wih local chariies and i is superb o hear ha significan amouns of money, in excess of 100,000, are raised annually for worhy causes hrough he effors of runners compeing a Balmoral. Aberdeenshire Council is anoher organisaion which has given our even is oal suppor and, once again, I wish o acknowledge heir inpu. The people a Balmoral Esae mus also be recognised, no only for making his wonderful venue available, bu also for all he hard work pu in by saff o ensure everyhing runs so smoohly. They even ge involved in he acion, wih Team Balmoral aking an excellen second posiion behind CoPs and Joggers in he Sena Drilling-ConocoPhillips Corporae Team Challenge his year. James Knowles Chairman, Balmoral Road Races Ld, May 2017 2 3
RunBalmoral - Spors Bursary T-Shir Compeiion Our Spors Bursary scheme offers some financial suppor o norh eas projecs which encourage paricipaion in acive pursuis. I is now in is hird year and for 2017 we have been able o suppor eleven differen schemes. The groups and organisaions o benefi are:- Two budding young Aberdeenshire running ariss won our annual compeiion o have heir designs worn by hundreds of runners in his year s 20h anniversary Balmoral races. Aboyne Academy Orieneering Club - assisance wih ranspor o he Scoish Schools Orieneering Fesival. Aboyne Bike Park Associaion - mainenance and repair of he bike park communiy projec. Banchory primary school - purchase of equipmen/ki for school running club. Banff Academy - purchase of vess for he school running club. Clerkhill School, Peerhead - purchase of PE equipmen. Dales Park School, Peerhead - purchase of boccia ki. Fraserburgh Running Club - purchase of indoor junior ahleics equipmen o suppor a run, jump and hrow programme. Inverurie Academy - suppor for he Fi for Girls projec. Mile End Primary School, Aberdeen - purchase of vess for school running club. Scosown school, Aberdeen - purchase of gymnasic mas. Weshill Academy - purchase of neball dresses. Maeve Sibson of Hill of Banchory School saw her illusraion, lef, appear on he -shirs for he MPH primary schools 1.5km while Turriff Academy s Vicki Elder produced he winning composiion for he Kongsberg Mariime secondary schools 2.5km, below righ. RunBalmoral Chairman James Knowles was impressed by he qualiy of he enries. He said: Hundreds of designs were submied and i was very difficul o choose he winners because he sandard was so high. Maeve and Vicki s designs are excellen and I m sure hey will ake a lo of pride from seeing he finished produc on he -shirs. I would, however, like o congraulae everyone who ook par and I wish o express my sincere hanks o he parens and eachers who assised in his process. Boh girls were presened wih a 250 cheque for heir schools o spend on any spors-relaed aciviy. They also received a Run-4-I goody bag, free enry o he Balmoral races and a framed prin of heir winning designs. Maeve Sibson receives her prizes from Will Sewar (Run-4-I, far lef) and Ber McInosh (MPH Ld, far righ). Also in he picure are Maeve s mum and dad, Mike and Deirdre, win broher Finn and older siser Emma. Banff Academy pupils smarly kied ou in he running vess bough wih he help of a RunBalmoral bursary award Rachel Smih, PE eacher a Turriff Academy, presens Vicki Elder wih her prize 4 5
RunBalmoral - Roll of Honour 2017 MPH Primary Schools 1.5km MPH Primary Schools 1.5km Boys min:sec 1 Samuel Nunn (Banchory) 06:00 2 Cluan Michell (Deeside) 06:02 3 Andrew Eccles (Banchory) 06:11 Kongsberg Mariime 2.5km Boys min:sec 1 Harry Hall (Aberdeen AAC) 07.22 2 Cameron Sone (Aberdeen AAC) 07.39 3 Calvin Ramsay 07.50 MPH Primary Schools 1.5km Girls min:sec 1 Anya Morrison (Eas Suherland) 06:01 2 Ella Creamer (Dunoar Primary) 06:31 3 Ailsa Long (Banchory Sonehaven AC) 06:43 Kongsberg Mariime 2.5km Girls min:sec 1 Emma Swanson (Banchory Sonehaven AC) 08:37 2 Isabella Thomson (Banchory Sonehaven AC) 08:56 3 Elizabeh McCall (Aberdeen AAC) 08:56 Norh of Scoland cross counry champion Anya Morrison, Eas Suherland Running Club, won he MPH girls' 1.5km race for he second year in a row. I was an impressive performance from he Dornoch primary school pupil whose ime of 6min 1 secs was only one sec slower han he winning performance in he boys' race. Ella Creamer (Dunoar Primary School) was runner-up in 6:31 wih Ailsa Long (Banchory) hird in 6:43. Banchory's Samuel Nunn won he boys' race by compleing he course in 6min o finish 2secs ahead of Ballaer's Cluan Mardell. Anoher Banchory runner, Andrew Eccles, ook hird spo afer sharing he same ime,6:11, as fourh-placed Culs Cheeahs member Thomas Mackenzie. ConocoPhillips 5km Men min:sec 1 Kenny Wilson (Moray Road Runners) 15:01 2 Callum Symmons (Edinburgh Universiy) 15:56 3 Hamish Bale (Mero Aberdeen) 16:10 ConocoPhillips 5km Women min:sec 1 Morag MacLary (Cenral AC) 16:58 2 Jenny Bannerman (Inverness Harriers) 17:02 3 Rebecca Eggeling (Aberdeen AAC) 17:30 Sena Drilling Taran 10km Men min:sec 1 Thomas Sraughan (Morpeh) 32:46:00 2 Will Mackay (Aberdeen AAC) 33:24:00 3 Keih Hood (Corsorphine) 34:07:00 Sena Drilling Taran 10km Women min:sec 1 Nicola Gauld (Aberdeen AAC) 36:55:00 2 Fiona Thompson (Cenral AC) 37:00:00 3 Mary McCucheon (Giffnock Norh) 40:59:00 Trac 15 Mile Trail Race Men hr:min:sec 1 Sam Hesling (Highland Hill Runners) 01:29:23 2 Callum Symmons (Edinburgh Universiy) 01:30:31 3 Tom Roche (Insch Trail Running Club) 01:31:19 Trac 15 Mile Trail Race Women hr:min:sec 1 Ellie Buchan (Aberdeen AAC) 01:43:23 2 Veronique Oldham (Aberdeen AAC) 01:44:15 3 Anne Harmann (PH Racing) 01:46:17 Trac 3 Mile Wee Trail Race Men hr:min:sec 1 Fergus Wood 20:02:00 2 Angus Wood 21:51:00 3 Fraser Wood 21:51:00 Trac 3 Mile Wee Trail Race Women hr:min:sec 1 Orla Crosby 24:33:00 2 Paula Hawhorn 27:15:00 3 Jill Sander (Newburgh Jogscoland) 27:47:00 Sena Drilling - Conocophillips Corporae Challenge hr:min:sec 1 CoPs and Joggers 3:58:13 2 Team Balmoral 4:19:55 3 Is ha he finish? 4:25:52 Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside Challenge Men hr:min:sec 1 Alan Semple 03:51:17 2 Harry Smih 04:01:15 3 Peer Henry 04:09:01 Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside Challenge Women hr:min:sec 1 Kerry Prise 04:37:08 2 Kaie Holmes 05:06:06 3 Sarah Dunn 05:14:07 Warm-up ime for he MPH primary schools boys race 6 7
MPH Primary Schools 1.5km MPH Primary Schools 1.5km Samuel Nunn sprins away from Cluan Mardell o win he boys race. Anya Morrison on her way o vicory in he girls race. Ber McInosh (far righ) wih he op hree girls, (LoR): Ella Creamer, Anya Morrison and Ailsa Long. Ber McInosh (far righ) wih he op hree boys, (LoR): Cluan Mardell, Samuel Nunn and Andrew Eccles. 8 9
Kongsberg Mariime Secondary Schools 2.5km Kongsberg Mariime Secondary Schools 2.5km Aberdeen AAC's Harry Hall scored a runaway vicory in he Kongsberg Mariime secondary schools 2.5km.The Scoish under-15's 800m rack champion sprined home in 7min 22secs,four secs quicker han his winning ime in 2016, o finish 17secs ahead of his clubmae Cameron Sone wih Calvin Ramsay hird in 7:50. Hall said: I ried o go for he record bu i was ou of my reach. I realised wih abou 350m o go ha I wasn' going o ge i and alhough I ried my bes i wasn' enough. However, I am happy o be quicker han las year. This is my las year in he schools arce so I'm aiming o give he 5Km a go in 2018. I will be ineresing o see how I ge on in he longer even. Emma Swanson (Banchory Sonehaven AC), who was fourh in her age group a his year's Scoish cross counry championships, won he girls' race in 8:37. Her clubmae Isabella Thomson was second in 8:56 while Elizabeh McCall (Aberdeen AAC) was hird in 8:56. Swanson said: This is he firs ime I've done his race alhough I've been here for he primary schools races in he pas. I didn' know wha o expec and hough I migh be able o be in he op 30 so i feels awesome o have won. I ran wih anoher girl unil abou one kilomere from he end when I was able o ge away. This is probably he bigges race I have won. Below: Sar of he Kongsberg Mariime secondary schools 2.5km. Euan Duncan of Kongsberg Mariime wih Emma Swanson and Elizabeh McCall. Euan Duncan of Kongsberg Mariime wih he firs hree boys (LoR): Cameron Sone, Harry Hall, Calvin Ramsay. 10 11
Kongsberg Secondary Schools 2.5km Aberdeenshire Acive Schools Awards Torphins Primary winners Harry Hall wins again All ou effor from Emma Swanson To encourage paricipaion in he Balmoral races, Aberdeenshire Acive Schools award rophies o he schools achieving he bigges number of enrans. There are hree caegories of prizes and Banchory Academy won he rophy in he secondary schools eam compeiion, Banchory primary won he large (i.e. roll of 100 or more) primary schools award and Finzean ook he ile for small schools. Picures show Aberdeenshire Council Chief Execuive Jim Savege presening he rophies o he winning schools. Banchory Academy winners Banchory primary school pupils receive heir rophy 12 13
ConocoPhillips 5K ConocoPhillips 5K Kenny Wilson reained his ile in he ConocoPhillips 5km. The Moray Road Runners club member was in fine form on Deeside, aking an early lead before sprining home in 15min 1sec. He said: I was hoping o dip under he 15min mark bu I'm happy enough as I was 13secs quicker han when winning las year. I was on my own afer he firs 500m and was able o run prey even splis hroughou, so ha's fine. Aberdeen's Callum Symmons (Edinburgh Universiy), who was hird las year, ook second posiion in 15:56 wih Hamish Bale (Mero Aberdeen) hird in 16:10. John Maheson (Mero Aberdeen) was firs over-50 when finishing ninh overall in 17:14 while he over-40's award wen o Willie Nicolson (Highland Hill Runners) who was 13h in 17:25. Scoish cross counry champion Morag MacLary (Cenral AC) pipped ileholder Jenny Bannerman (Inverness Harriers) by four secs o win he women's prize in 16:58. Above: JKenny Wilson Below: Morag MacLary The Larber ahlee's ime is he hird quickes in he hisory of he race, being beered only by Rhona Auckland's 15:55 course record from 2014 and her 2013 winning ime of 15:55. MacLary, a former Scoland Commonwealh Games represenaive, said: Above: Terri King (far righ) wih he op hree women (LoR): Jenny Bannerman, Morag MacLary and Rebecca Eggeling Below: Terri King (far righ) wih he op hree men (LoR): Callum Symmons, Kenny Wilson and Hamish Bale I would have been happier if i had been a lile bi faser, bu I fel quie ired. I did a four-week raining block hen apered down and hough I'd be fine, bu obviously no. I never realised Jenny was so close a he finish. I could see her a a few poins on he course where we urned, bu she mus have been closing on me owards he end. Aberdeen AAC's Rebecca Eggeling, who se a record ime when winning las year's secondary schools 2.5Km, finished hird in 17:30. 14 15
Sena Drilling Taran 10K Sar of he ConocoPhillips 5km Thomas Sraughan from Morpeh Harriers was a surprise winner of he Sena Drilling Taran 10km.The Norhumbrian runner was locked in a close fough bale wih 2016 winner Will Mackay (Aberdeen AAC) unil he op of he noorious Balmoral hill, approaching he halfway poin on he course, before breaking clear and going on o score a noable vicory. He compleed he esing circui in 32min 46secs wih Mackay seling for second posiion in 33:24 while 2009 champion Keih Hood (Corsorphine AAC) finished hird in 34:07. Sraughan was delighed wih he oucome, saying: I was up here visiing my girlfriend's family who live in he area, so I arranged o ener he race. I enjoyed i. I's very well organised and he sewards really knew heir jobs. I was very impressed and I'd definiely come back. Above: Thomas Sraughan I had a good race wih Will Mackay. We were prey much neck-and-neck all he way unil he op of he hill hen I was able o pull away. I didn' know he course so I jus kep pushing on.the hills didn' boher me oo much as I rain on fairly hilly errain back home. Rowan Boswood finished fourh in 34:15 while fifh-placed Neil Graham, from Banchory, won he special prize as firs kiled runner when compleing he roue in a personal bes 35:21. Graham las won he kiler prize in 2008 and since hen he has been focussing on cycling and riahlon races. Aberdeen AAC's Nicola Gauld won he women's ile for he second ime in hree years bu he Scoland inernaional had o fend off a srong challenge from he 2007 race champion Fiona Thompson (Cenral AC). As was he case in he men's race, he long hill leading o he 5km poin proved decisive as Gauld used her srengh a his poin o break clear and go on o win by five secs in 36:55. Above: Neil Graham, kiler champion Below: Nicola Gauld Mary McCucheon (Giffnock Norh) was hird in 40:59 while Gillian Carr (Corsorphine AAC) was firs over-40 when finishing fourh in 41:29. Gauld, who finished second behind Thompson's clubmae Jennifer Weon las year, said: Fiona and I ran ogeher bu I pulled away going up he hill. I never made a susained aemp o ge away, i jus seemed o happen. I don' hink I ever had much of a lead, bu I didn' wan o look round a any sage o check. Thompson was saisfied wih her performance, despie narrowly missing ou on op spo. She said: I always knew ha whoever was ahead a he op of he hill would probably win, and ha's he way i worked ou. Sarah Knox won he women s kiler prize in 46:20. 16 17
Sena Drilling Taran 10K Runners approach he op of hearbreak hill Women s kiler champion Sarah Knox wih Suar Wyness Team Sena a Balmoral Above: Suar Wyness of Sena Drilling (far righ) wih (LoR): Fiona Thompson, Nicola Gauld and Mary McCucheon. Below: Suar Wyness of Sena Drilling (far righ) wih (LoR): Will Mackay,Thomas Sraughan and Keih Hood. 18 19
Apollo Duahlon Sena Drilling-ConocoPhillips Corporae Team Challenge Cops and Joggers won he ile for he hird ime in five years by pipping he hos side, Team Balmoral, for op spo. The winning squad included Kaie Bain, Julie Hendry, David Wilkinson, Alisair Morrison, Gregor Thurlow, Dan Pearce, Jonahan Murray and Ryan Wilson. The Apollo duahlon produced arguably he mos exciing race of he weekend as defending champion Dan Whiehead (Deeside Runners) and former 15 mile rail race winner Harry Smih (Essex Triahlon Club) engaged in an enhralling ca-and-mouse sruggle for supremacy. TEAM 5K 10K Toal 1 CoPs and Joggers 01:17:27 02:40:46 03:58:13 2 Team Balmoral 01:28:16 02:51:39 04:19:55 3 Is ha he finish? 01:24:48 03:01:04 04:25:52 4 "Call i "in progress" he noo!" 01:32:07 03:08:37 04:40:44 5 Sena Drilling 01:55:23 02:52:24 04:47:47 6 Repsol Sinopec Resources UK 01:29:13 03:22:08 04:51:21 7 Universiy of Aberdeen Developmen Trus 01:50:40 03:15:19 05:05:59 8 Maggie's Cenres 01:54:55 03:23:50 05:18:45 TEAM 5K 10K Toal 9 Schis Happens 02:09:57 03:11:22 05:21:19 10 Sampers 02:14:54 03:17:28 05:32:22 11 Macmillan Cancer Suppor 01:46:38 03:53:25 05:40:03 12 Fanasic Eigh 01:50:08 04:02:03 05:52:11 13 Volunary Service Aberdeen 02:31:31 03:21:31 05:53:02 14 Aberdeenshire Council 02:01:04 04:08:33 06:09:37 15 CLAN 02:08:28 04:06:24 06:14:52 16 SRUC 02:01:17 04:30:24 06:31:41 Smih, who revealed he had hired his bike from Whiehead s Ballaer cycle shop, overhauled he ile-holder on he final 5km running sage. The former Balmoral esae worker, who is now based in he souh of England, was ahead afer he opening 6km run bu Whiehead came ou 14sces ahead afer he firs ransiion and pulled clear on he 16km mounain bike sage. Smih responded srongly, however, and powered back ino he lead on he final leg o complee he course in 1hr 20min 17secs wih Whiehead 26sces behind in second posiion. Smih said: There wasn' much in i bu I saw a bi of red mis going ino he final run when I saw Dan in fron of me so I jus decided I had o go for i and did enough o win. I enjoyed he race. I s a nice course and isn' oo echnical, so i was fine. RunBalmoral Chairman James Knowles, hird from righ, presens he rophy o members of he Cops and Joggers eam. Alan Semple (Flee Fee Triahlees) was hird in 1:21:32. Clare Whiehead (Deeside Runners) scored an emphaic vicory in he women's race, compleing he course in 1:33:03. She said: I was a good field and I had guys o race agains all he way round so I enjoyed i. I was always ahead in he women's race. I hough if I was ahead a he end of he firs run I'd be fine, and ha's how i worked ou. Above: Clare Whiehead Below: Dan Whiehead Aberdeen s Kerry Prise, he 2016 champion, was second in 1:37:58 and Aboyne s Coralie Arhur finished hird in 1:39:09. 20 21
Apollo Duahlon Seven Leaper of Apollo presens prizes o op hree men (LoR): Dan Whiehead, Harry Smih and Alan Semple. Seven Leaper of Apollo presens prizes o op hree women (LoR): Kerry Prise, Clare Whiehead and Coralie Arhur. Harry Smih 22 23
TRAC 15 mile Trail Race TRAC 15 mile Trail Race Sam Hesling (Highland Hill Runners) won he Trac 15 mile rail race in 1:29:23 wih Callum Symmons (Edinburgh Universiy), who was runner-up in he previous day s ConocoPhillips 5km, finished second in 1:30:31 while Tom Roche (Insch Trail Running Club) ook hird spo in 1:31:19. Hesling, from Evanon, said: I really enjoyed i. This is he firs ime I have been o Balmoral for many years and he even has grown. I found i hard running ino a headwind for he firs four miles. I had a bale wih he oher guys bu evenually pulled away on a climb afer eigh or nine miles and I am delighed o win.i s a grea course and I d cerainly like o come back again. Ellie Buchan (Aberdeen AAC) bounced back from a roubling ankle injury o ake he women's prize, compleing he challenging bu scenic course, which follows esae roads, foresry racks and rough errain, in 1hr 43min 23secs. The 2014 winner and las year's runnerup, Veronique Oldham (Cosmic Hillbashers) was second in 1:44:15 while Anne Harmann (PH Racing Club) was hird for he second year in a row in 1:46:17. Buchan said: "I hink I paced i quie well. I wasn' sure jus how fi I was because of he ankle injury, so I sared off quie conservaively and was fourh woman for a while. "I gradually picked off wo of he runners ahead of me hen I saw Veronique in he disance. I gradually pulled her in, bu i was quie ough. I evenually caugh her wih a couple of miles o go and afer passing I was jus was praying she wouldn cach me again on he las hill. Righ: Sam Hesling Below: Ou on he hill Above: Callum Symmons, Sam Hesling and Tom Roche wih Danny Hawhorn of Trac. Below: Veronique Oldham, Ellie Buchan and Anne Harmann wih Danny Hawhorn of Trac. 24 25
TRAC 3 Mile Wee Trail Race Ellie Buchan I was fanasic o see so many represenaives from our race sponsor,trac, aking par in he 3 mile Wee Trail Race which was, once again, par of he 2017 jogscoland challenge series. Manging Direcor Danny Hawhorn finished sevenh in 24:29 while his wife Paula was second in he women's division of he run in 27:15 behind Orla Crosby who won in 24:33. Jill Sander, whose husband Jan is he Trac Business Delivery Manager,finished hird in 27:47. Braemar riples ook he op hree posiions. Fergus Wood knocked 46secs off he course record se by Aberdeen AAC s Anisha Badial in 2016, when finishing firs in firs in 20:02 while his 16 year-old brohers Angus and Fraser were join second in 21:51. No only ha bu he lads helped wih all heir pals from Braemar wih marshalling all day, manning waer saions, packing goody bags and handing ou medals and waer. Lef o Righ: Fergus Wood, Daniel Hawhorn, Orla Crosby Below: Angus & Fraser Wood 26 27
Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside Challenge Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside Challenge Aberdeen compeiors Alan Semple and Kerry Prise were crowned men s and women s Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside champions respecively a he end of wo days of gruelling compeiion. The Challenge was inroduced o mark he 20h year of he Balmoral races and we were aamazed ha more han 100 hardy individuals signed up o ake par. Semple paced himself perfecly o win he men s ile by posing a cumulaive ime of 3hr 51min 17secs afer ackling he ConocoPhillips 5km, he Sena Drilling 10km, he Apollo duahlon and he Trac 15 mile rail race. His vicory was achieved afer an enhralling bale wih former Balmoral esae worker Harry Smih (Essex Triahlon Club) who led Semple by 78secs afer he opening day of he cones. Smih exended his advanage o 2min 33secs wih a fine vicory in he 28km duahlon a he beginning of day wo. Bu everyhing changed during he final demanding even, he 15 mile rail race around he remoer pars of he esae, when Semple emphaically wiped ou Smih's lead. He powered over he course in 1hr 36min 37secs for 10h posiion overall while Smih's hopes fell apar in dramaic fashion as he rudged home exhaused in 1:49:08. Semple was happy wih his performance a Balmoral, bu paid ribue o his main rival. He said: "Harry had a cracking opening day bu he wen ou hard in he duahlon a he beginning of day wo and probably paid he price for ha in he 15 miler. You have o be careful wih he pacing because i all comes down o he long run a he finish. If you are jus a lile oo fas in he 5km a he beginning, ha can cos you big-ime laer on. Aberdeen's Kerry Prise showed remarkable consisency over he wo days of compeiion o win he women s prize. She finished 11h in he ConocoPhillips 5km, eighh in he Sena Drilling 10km, second in he Apollo duahlon and ninh in he Trac 15 mile rail race for a cumulaive ime of 4hrs 37min 8sec. She said: "I am so pleased wih how I did. I ook i one race a a ime and hey all seemed o come ogeher Acually he one I found he hardes was he 5km, can you believe ha? I ran a fas ime by my sandards so my legs were a bi sore. "I loved he 10km, paricularly being greeed by pipers and drummers a he op of he big hill around he halfway poin. I really appreciaed ha. "I was pleased o finish second in he duahlon before going ino he 15 miler. For he firs five miles I fel prey ired bu hen I seemed o ge ino my sride again. "Bu i was such a grea feeling geing o he finish wih all he youngsers in he crowd holding ou heir hands. A ha poin I forgo my legs were sore and jus enjoyed i. I'll be back o Balmoral in 2018. I was fanasic his year and I'd like o pass on my hanks o he organisers for a grea even." I'd love o come back and defend my ile nex year. I was a really good even and very well organised. I's grea for hose of us who like a differen sor of challenge o he usual, so I hope i will be on again. Lef: Alan Semple recieves his prize from Emma Cunningham of Repsol Sinopec Righ: Kerry Prise receives her prize from from Emma Cunningham of Repsol Sinopec 28 29
Even Village and Corporae Hospialiy The Even Village plays an imporan and popular role in offering a wide range of faciliies and aciviies for visiors o he esae over he race weekend, primarily on he Saurday. Chariies were, as usual, given space alongside he caerers Counry Flavours of Alford and oher exhibiors. Our reail parner, Run-4-I, was also presen. Oudoor Discovery provided a climbing wall, bungie run and superjumper while Aberdeenshire Council provided a climbing wall, Fooball in he Sree Spors Arena body zorbing for age 16 and under, and he exciing bike rack and obsacle course. There was also he Scoishahleics sree sprin and he popular children s rain. Alan Semple Kerry Price Corporae hospialiy is provided a he even for any company or organisaion which requess his service and his year we caered for more han 500 guess. A full range of snacks, meals and drinks can be provided. 30 31
Chariies We worked in parnership wih 13 chariies his year. GOLD Nominaed Chariy Macmillan Cancer Suppor: www.macmillan.org.uk SILVER Nominaed Chariies Anchor: www.balmoral-group.com CLAN Cancer Suppor: www.clanhouse.org CLIC Sargen: www.clicsargen.org.uk Maggies Cenres: www.maggiescenres.org The Archie Foundaion: www.archiefoundaion.org.uk Universiy of Aberdeen Developmen Trus, suppor demenia research: www.abdn.ac.uk VSA: www.vsa.org.uk Affiliaed Chariies Charlie House: www.charliehouse.org.uk Cornersone: www.cornersone.org.uk Diabees UK: www.diabees.org.uk Scoland s Chariy Air Ambulance: www.scaa.org.uk Walking wih he Wounded: walkingwihhewounded.org.uk The response from each of our chariies has once again been superb wih hundreds of runners being encouraged o ake par as shown by he Universiy of Aberdeen Developmen Trus which had 75 runners paricipaing. In addiion o our parner chariies we are aware of numerous groups and individuals who were aking par in he races o raise funds for numerous worhy causes and we esimae ha in excess of 100,000 was raised for worhy causes. Included in his sum was he 2200 raised from he sales of wrisbands on he day for our nominaed chariies. There is no doub ha RunBalmoral is a key even in he fund raising aciviies which benefi many chariies in he area. Sponsors, Parners,Even Supporers and Suppliers RunBalmoral could no ake place wihou our sponsors, parner organisaions, service providers and voluneers. Hundreds of people conribue in a variey of ways o making he even a success and we are indebed o hem all. Local Sewards, Morrone Explorer Scou Uni, Mr and Mrs Dobbie, Police Scoland and Police Scoland Recruis, Ronnie Finnie, Royal Lochnagar Disillery, Scoishahleics, Specialis Cars Nissan, S Andrews Firs Aid, T-Prin. Main Sponsors and Parners Suppliers Sena Drilling, ConocoPhillips, Apollo, Trac, Kongsberg Mariime, MPH Ld, Repsol Sinopec, Aberdeenshire Council, Balmoral Esae, Run-4-I, Srahmore Waer. Even Voluneers and Supporers Aboyne Academy, Acive Aberdeenshire, Aberdeenshire Leaders, Air Training Corps (NE Scoland Wing), Ballaer and Disric Pipe Band, 1s Braemar Scous, 1s Insch Scous, Blair Gibb Complemenary Therapy, Braemar Miniaure Railway, Braemar Mounain Rescue, Braemoral Joinery, Crahie School, Deans of Hunly Ld, D S Medals and Trophies, Fron Runner, Friskis & Sveis, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, Local GPs and Physios, Angus Forbes Phoography, Ashers Ice Cream, Casle Plan, Marsh Cenral Insurance Services Ld, Counry Flavours of Alford, Esslemon Marquees, Field Track Ld, Genny Hire, Graham Whye, Grampian Even Securiy, Gran Considine, Greens of Haddingon,Heilan Loos, Limehouse Design : Dundee, Invercauld Esae, Iab, J. Barclay, Jamie Ross, Scocompuerservices,Scoish Communicaions, Marahon-phoos.com, Mike McDermid, Oudoor Discovery, Resulsbase.ne, Scoish Ambulance Service, Sreamline, Sage Pay, The Aberdeen Movemen and Running School,Trophies Inernaional, Bank of Scoland, World Pay. 32
Paricipaion Sas NUMBER OF FINISHERS PER RACE 2005-2017 Trail Wee 10K 5K Race Duahlon Trail 2.5k 1.5K B 1.5K G Mile Oher Toal 2017 1721 738 439 191 60 169 434 371 4123 2016 1735 633 437 158 35 219 426 381 4022 2015 1823 714 429 143 37 237 449 401 x x 4233 2014 1825 692 327 55 212 414 392 x x 3917 2013 1855 766 297 228 452 374 x x 3972 2012 1915 641 218 215 375 324 184 x 3872 2011 1940 732 148 184 375 308 x x 3687 2010 1889 819 x 214 354 278 x x 3554 2009 1999 614 x 191 524 * x x x 3328 2008 1884 514 x 185 477 * x x x 3060 2007 1533 227 x 165 384 * x x x 2309 2006 1347 76 x 172 347 * x x x 1942 2005 1384 x x x x x x 568 + 1952 Noes: * Combined boys and girls races + Junior race mixed ages RUN BALMORAL 2017 ENTRy AND PARTICIPATION NUMBERS Number Number Percenage Race who enered who paricipaed who paricipaed MPH Primary Schools 1.5km Boys 508 434 85 MPH Primary Schools 1.5km Girls 435 371 85 Kongsberg Mariime secondary schools 2.5km 249 169 68 ConocoPhillips 5km 960 738 77 Sena Drilling 10km 2224 1721 77 Apollo Duahlon 255 191 75 Trac 15 Mile Trail race 613 439 72 Trac Wee Trail race 81 60 74 Toal 5325 4123 77 Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside 108 84 69 34