A NNUAL R EPORT OVERALL EVENT SPONSORS RACE SPONSORS SUPPORTING SPONSORS RETAIL PARTNER 20 Balmoral Road Races Ltd 19 Board of Directors: James Knowles (Chair) I Richard Gledson. RUN BAL RunBalmoral Management Team: Jackie Stewart I Peter Jennings MORAL I James Hamilton-Goddard I Fraser Clyne I Jane Fedo Photography: Angus Forbes, www.angusforbesphotography.co.uk I Design and Production: Limehouse Design, Dundee Highlights - Message from the Chairman I am delighted to say that for the fourth year in a row we attracted There was also a record-breaking run from Angus Wood in the more than 5,000 entrants for our programme of eight races over Bristow three mile trail run. the two days of Run Balmoral. Of these, more than 4,000 took part, an 80% turnout level, which is comparable with events of This year we provided every finisher with the first in a unique series this scale. The fixture list is becoming increasingly crowded with of five medals to be presented between now and 2023, each many races competing for the same market, which means featuring an iconic landmark within and around the Balmoral RunBalmoral have to be on top of our game to keep attracting estate. The 2019 medal showcased Lochnagar while in subsequent Pictured left to right: such high numbers of entries. However, the Board and years we will include the Auld Brig O’Dee, Balmoral Castle, Crathie Management Team are not complacent and will continue to Kirk and Albert’s Cairn. I am sure these will become collectible Matt Rhodes (Bristow) review all aspects of our event in consultation with our sponsors, items and runners will want to acquire a complete set. James Knowles affiliated charities and, of course, the local running community, Ian McCabe (Bristow) and will make any changes which might enhance the event in RunBalmoral is one of north east Scotland’s biggest participation Robbie Simpson future years. sporting and community events which engages with local people in so many positive ways. The t-shirt design competition We are privileged to have a number of long term sponsors to by staff to ensure everything goes so smoothly. Thanks are also whom we are extremely grateful. Stena Drilling, ConocoPhillips extended to our colleagues at Run-4-It, our retail partner, who and MPH Ltd have been involved for many years while Apollo and make a significant contribution to the success of the event. Repsol Sinopec have continued to extend their association with us. RunBalmoral were also delighted to welcome Bristow on board There has been a change to the Management Team with Garry this year as the new sponsor of our 15 mile and three mile trail Marsden, the Visitor Enterprise Manager at Balmoral Estate, races. This is the first time the company has been involved with an leaving last summer to take up a new post at Sandringham. Garry event of this nature and hopefully it will have proven to be an did a wonderful job for many years and we wish him well for the enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Harrogate Spring Water future. His replacement, James Hamilton-Goddard, took up post in also stepped in late in the day to take title sponsorship of the January and was quickly and successfully pitched into his new role. secondary schools 2.5km race and we are very grateful for their I would like to thank the other members of the Management contribution. Team - Jackie Stewart, Peter Jennings, Fraser Clyne and Jane Fedo - for once again delivering a fantastic event. The support of all our race sponsors, and Aberdeenshire Council, is hugely appreciated,, as, without the backing of all these There are many more groups, organisations and service suppliers organisations, the event could not take place. The contribution who contribute to the success of RunBalmoral and we have made by the team at Balmoral Estate, led by my fellow Director, mentioned them elsewhere in this document. To each and every Richard Gledson, is also immense, not only for making this one, I wish to express my sincere thanks. Scotland International Robbie Simpson, 4th left, with some of our charity mascots. wonderful venue available, but also for the dedicated work put in Planning is already underway for RunBalmoral 2020 which will take place over the weekend of 18th-19th April I hope you will join The large crowd of spectators enjoyed many outstanding encourages youngsters to get involved in a creative way and our us then. performances over the weekend, with Dundee’s Beth Collins Sports Bursary programme supports many fantastic initiatives winning the MPH primary schools girls’ race for the second year in geared towards encouraging young people to embrace healthy a row, Metro Aberdeen’s Cameron Strachan coming within two lifestyles. seconds of breaking the ConocoPhillips 5km record and Caithness runner Andy Douglas winning the Stena Drilling 10km for the Amazing numbers of volunteers are all drawn from the local third time and being just seven seconds adrift of Robbie Simpson’s community and the majority of event suppliers are based in the record. Aberdeen’s Alan Semple won the Apollo duathlon on his north east. Charity partners offer support to worthy causes within way to taking the Repsol Sinopec Devil of Deeside title for the the local community and valued sponsors play a huge role in the third year in a row while Alexander Chepelin and Marie Baxter economic and social life of the region. It is, in every respect, a truly were impressive winners of the men’s and women’s Bristow 15 fantastic example of all sectors of the community coming together mile trail races. in partnership to create and enjoy what is a superb family James Knowles, Chairman, Balmoral Road Races Ltd, May 2019. occasion. 2 3 RunBalmoral - Sports Bursary T-Shirt Competition The Run Balmoral Sports Bursary scheme has this year The successful bids were: Artistically talented youngsters Abby Dear,11, and Erin provided financial support to 10 projects which encourage Sutherland,12, were the winners of our 2019 t-shirt young people to participate in active pursuits. Bursaries Banchory Academy Running Club: Sports Kit. competition after their designs were chosen from a large have been offered for the past five years and 42 projects Old Rayne Primary School: number of top quality submissions from schools across the T-shirts for running club and transport to Run Balmoral. benefiting hundreds of youngsters have received financial north east. St Machar Academy: Girls Football Kit. backing. Mill O Forest Primary School: Hire of bus to take pupils to Run Balmoral. Abby, a P7 pupil at Fishermoss School, Portlethen, saw her James Knowles, Run Balmoral Chairman, said: "We have Banchory Primary Running Club: colourful illustration appear on the t-shirts for the MPH once again had a tremendous amount of interest in the Purchase of run fitness training equipment primary schools 1.5km, while Erin, who attends Kemnay bursary scheme but, as is always the case, the value of the Hill of Banchory Primary School: Running Club t-shirts. Academy,produced an excellent composition for the bids far outweighed the funding we have been able to Gilcomstoun Primary School: Sports equipment. Harrogate Spring Water secondary schools 2.5km. make available. We are, nevertheless, able to support, at Inverurie Gymnastic Club: Safety mat. least in part, many of the projects proposed to us and we Aberdeen AAC/Northfield/Seaton Primary Schools: Abby’s success inspired other members of her family to hope our contribution will have a big impact. Transport to Run Balmoral. take part in the Balmoral races with her niece Jessica joining Bramble Brae Primary Young Joggers: her in the 1.5km while mum Lisa and her sister Amanda Transport to Run Balmoral and running vests. “All of the applications were fantastic and we had some tackled the ConocoPhillips 5km tough decisions to make. I was amazed by the variety of bids we received and I am pleased we can support so Erin’s success in the secondary schools competition isn’t many of them. the first time her artistic skills have been recognised, as her M Abby's Presentation: Left to right - Lucy Taylor (Run-4-It), mum Anne, explained: “She loves art and her mosaic Bert McIntosh (McIntosh Plant Hire Ltd), Abby, Lisa Dear (mum), Mrs Sayer (Abby’s teacher, Fishermoss School). “The Sports Bursary programme is part of our continuing design was one of four chosen to be displayed outside M Erin's presentation: left to right - Lucy Taylor (Run-4-It), Erin, commitment to making Run Balmoral an event which not Kintore school last year. We were proud of her for that - Mark Sutherland (dad), Anne Sutherland (mum), Megan (sister), only provides an opportunity for thousands of people to and now she has won this as well.” Lisbeth Paul (Kemnay Academy), James Knowles (Run Balmoral) take part in our weekend programme of races, but also makes a wider contribution to the health and well-being James Knowles, Chairman of Run Balmoral, praised the of the north east community.” high standard of submissions. He said: “We received so many exciting and imaginative drawings, so it was very Bramble Brae Primary difficult to choose the winners. “Abby and Erin’s designs are excellent and I’m sure they took a lot of pride from seeing the finished product on the t-shirts on race day. I would, however, like to congratulate everyone who took part and I wish to express my sincere thanks to the parents and teachers who assisted.” Both girls travelled to the Run-4-It shop in Aberdeen where they were each presented with a £250 cheque for their schools to spend on any sports-related activity.