Run Balmoral 2026 Event Information Leaflet
Balmoral Estate is approximately 50 miles West of Aberdeen, just off the A93 in scenic Royal Deeside and can be reached from the South on the A93 (Deeside Tourist Route) via Perth and Glenshee. Download the Event Information leaflet for more event info – find out more you can download the pdf here.
Run Balmoral 2026 Event Programme
Each year we produce an Event Programme with a summary of the event, so if you would like to find out more you can download the pdf here. Download it to your phone for quick reference on the event weekend.
Run Balmoral 2025 – Saturday Highlights
Run Balmoral 2025 – Sunday Highlights
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Message from the Chair
After another very successful race weekend in 2025, I’m delighted to announce that entries for Run Balmoral 2026 (Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th April) is open.
Like any other major event, Run Balmoral could not happen without its sponsors. On behalf of Balmoral Road Races Ltd, I would like to thank McIntosh Plant Hire (1.5km Primary Schools Race), RAM Tubulars (2.5km Secondary Schools Race), Harbour Energy (5K), Stena Drilling (10K), the John Clark Motor Group (Devil of Deeside), Tidy Green Clean (Photo/Videography), Run4it (Retail) and VSA (Gold Charity Partner) for their continued support of our event.
I would also like to extend thanks and a very warm welcome to James & George Collie as the newest member of our Run Balmoral family of sponsors. The well-known local solicitors and estate agents will be supporting our 15-mile offroad challenge on Sunday, now to be known as the ‘James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail
Race’.
Next year’s event will signal the start of a new five-year series of specially designed medals. While the last series featured well-known landmarks in and around the Balmoral Estate, this new series will feature its wonderful wildlife. We will reveal which animal (or bird!) will be gracing our first medal later this year.
But a new series of medals isn’t the only change happening next spring. As part of our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment, our eco-friendly event t-shirts – featuring one design for our schools races and one for our main races – will be an optional extra, to be added at registration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Balmoral Estate next Easter for another fantastic weekend of running for the whole family.
Run Balmoral 2025 Annual Report
Run Balmoral 2025 was another great success with 4299 runners taking part out of an overall entry of 5126,
representing an 84% turnout, which is excellent. We were also treated to some wonderful individual performances with four course records being broken. Sean Chalmers enjoyed a double success with wins in the Harbour Energy 5k and the Stena Drilling 10k, while it was amazing to watch Millie Glass Park smashing her own record in the MPH Primary School Girls’ 1.5k, while Nathan Lawson set a new standard in the RAM Tubulars Secondary School Boys’ 2.5k. These are outstanding athletes, but we admire each and every one of the runners who participated in the series of races over the
weekend. They are all winners. Discover the full story of triumph and future aspirations in our comprehensive annual report (pdf 39.9MB).
Saturday Events
Stena Drilling 10K
The Stena Drilling 10K takes you through some beautiful Highland scenery on the Balmoral Estate and will be clearly marked and well marshalled.
Harbour Energy 5K
The Harbour Energy 5K all takes place on estate tarmac roads. The race begins heading west from the Castle adjacent the river Dee to a turn point at the Highland Pony Stud. There is a slight incline as the route returns to the castle via the “top road” which has magnificent views of Balmoral Castle and gardens.
MPH Primary Schools Run 1.5k
The race where some of our national and International runners started! The race is completely contained on tarmac roads in the estate and passes right in front of Balmoral Castle! Well marshalled and signed throughout with a lead cyclist and sweep runner. The race starts and finishes at the main finish gantry.
RAM Tubulars Secondary Schools 2.5k
Once past primary School age many of our runners graduate to the 2.5K event. The race is completely contained on tarmac roads in the estate and passes right in front of Balmoral Castle! Well marshalled and signed throughout with a lead cyclist and sweep runner. The race starts and finishes at the main finish gantry.
Sunday Events
James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race
An epic 15 miles of Highland scenery. There is something special about this event! You start in view of Balmoral Castle and run out west adjacent the magnificent river Dee before beginning a gradual climb through the Ballochbuie pine forest. Then at mile 8, you leave the river and begin a climb to the base of Lochnagar, an ascent of about 120 meters. The last 3 miles are a rush as you hurtle down towards the Castle once again; but beware..there is a sting in the tail!
Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race
With a mix of tarmac, track and turf, the Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race is a true all-terrain event! Open to anyone over the age of 15, the race can be approached as an introduction to trail running for beginners or as challenging sprint for the more experienced. Each lap runs alongside the River Dee to start before heading uphill – and then down again for a fast mile back to the start.
Weekend Challenges
John Clark Motor Group Devil of Deeside
Can you handle the John Clark Motor Group Devil O Deeside? To dance with the Devil you have to complete the Stena Drilling 10K, Harbour Energy 5K, James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race and the Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race! There will be two categories of winner; male with the fastest overall cumulative time and female with the fastest cumulative time. That’s it!
Stena Drilling / Harbour Energy Corporate Team Challenge
Corporate Challenge Trophy The StenaDrilling – Harbour Energy Corporate Team Challenge is an exciting competition embodied within RunBalmoral. It provides a wonderful opportunity for you to get together with your work / colleagues to compete for the magnificent team trophy to be awarded to the RunBalmoral Corporate Team Challenge Champions.



























Support Women’s Health Research at the University of Aberdeen
Friends of the Neonatal Unit is the official charity of Aberdeen Maternity Hospital’s Neonatal Unit for premature and sick babies.


The FOS Group has been formed by engineering experts Apollo and offshore construction specialists AquaTerra to give our clients in the North Sea a simpler, smarter alternative to delivering projects on and offshore for the oil and gas business.
🏅IT’S MEDAL MONDAY🏅 Let’s see your proudest smiles! #medalmonday #runbalmoral ... See MoreSee Less
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Kevin McAndrew 🎖️
Ticked off Devil of Deeside this weekend and yes the jump for this photo was not fun but definitely worth it 😂
5km and the 10km in the bag.
Father (59) and daughter (15) team after the 6 mile trail race. We loved it and will be back for more if that hill next year. Thanks very much to all the wonderful marshalls on the day.
My last ever Run & my daughters 1st,❤️
Here’s us Charlie Burr!
Our first time. Great event. Thank you to everyone involved. XX.
Alison Sim 🤩
Alison Sim
A different 15 mile trail run, but still great fun 🥳🤩
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🏅IT'S MEDAL MONDAY!🏅
Congrats to everyone who earned their Capercaillie and Devil medals at Run Balmoral this weekend!
Share your celebration photos with us in the comments! ⬇️
#medalmonday #runbalmoral #scottishrunning #runningmedals
James & George Collie LLP Balmoral Castle ... See MoreSee Less
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Truly enjoyed the sense of accomplishment of crossing the 10k finish line! Surely that hill has gotten steeper over the years...
First time back at the 10km for a while!
First time completing the devil 😈 😁
Even in the wind the horns stayed on for the weekend, I’ve been asked to wear a tail next year 🤔 Well done everyone 👏
First year back after many off due to illness. Loved it! Thanks to everyone who helps make it happen 🌟🙌🏻🏅
Fastest 10k at this event for me ever even in a tiger costume! 49 minutes 43 seconds!
Fantastic time doing the 5k with one of my parkrun besties Morag McCreath ❤️
12 years old & doing his first 5K at Balmoral. Just over 23 minutes 🥰
2nd & 3rd MV50 age category 🕺🕺🎉🎉
All the medals 🥰 thanks to everyone involved, great weekend 👏🏻👏🏻
1st time doing the devil deeside with my running buddy Bess Lacy .xx
First 10k loved every minute ❣️🏃🏽♀️
Fastest one yet at 53 minutes
All the medals for me! 😊 Also came first in my age category for the Devil! Only as I was the only 70+ to even attempt it 🤣 Hidden Peak Running
5k for me and hubby. First of 4 for him!
4 x Made the Finish Line - Delighted #fullshebang 🤩 Thank you to all the volunteers & the Massage Tent 💙
3/4 of the Fit Like Joggers devils
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And that's Run Balmoral done for another year!
🙏Thank you to all our runners, spectators, volunteers, management, charities and vendors who make our event so special.
🙏Thanks also to our sponsors and everyone at the Balmoral Estate, whose support makes the event itself possible.
🙏And a final thank you to the runners in our James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race for their patience and understanding. The last thing any race organiser wants to do is make changes at the last minute, but sometimes they have no option.
We really appreciate the words of support we've had from runners and are so pleased to hear (whisper it) that some of them actually enjoyed the two-lap course as much as the original. It was a different challenge, of course, but still a challenge, and one that played its full part in an extraordinary event. Here's to hoping for better weather next year!
All race results are now available on the krono:sports website:
mytime.kronosports.uk/results.aspx?CId=20177&RId=645
If you have a query about your results, please contact krono:sports directly: mytime@kronosports.uk
More images and information to come in the next few days ... but from all of us here at Run Balmoral, congratulations ... and Happy Easter!
Tidy Green Clean McIntosh Plant Hire & Heavy Logistics Harbour Energy Stena Drilling James & George Collie LLP John Clark Motor Group Run4It Balmoral Castle krono:sports VSA Kayleigh's Wee Stars Marie Curie UK Stuart Ross Media Bold St Media ... See MoreSee Less
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Excited for when it opens up to book next year! Lol any idea when that is, and will be ready! Haha
Not impressed. My 16 year old daughter placed 1st U20 in the 6 mile trail but wasn't called up for the presentations. A race official told us that the prize was being withheld as the event wasn't making enough money this year. It shouldn't cost anything to recognise the achievements of younger athletes - a handshake, an announcement, a photo on the podium - all great motivation for the next generation. Even worse is that the age category has been subsequently deleted from the results and all the under 20 runners now categorised as seniors. I think this is very poor Run Balmoral
Another fantastic weekend.
Great weekend. Well done to all the runners and massive thanks to the organisers, first aiders, marshalls, volunteers and anyone I’ve missed that make the event what it is 👏👏👏
Well done brilliant event again and as a sponsor Tidy Green Clean the organisers do a tremendous job of pulling this all together annually
COTAG were proud to be part of such an amazing event. Fair play to all who took part, really impressive and awe inspiring. 😎🤘
Thanks for yet another fabulous event. I was determined to nail the hill this year but it wasn't to be. I did however nail a Balmoral 10k pb instead. 9 mins off my previous one. So I'm delighted...now to sign up again next year or not and give that b*****d hill another go...🤣🤔🫣
We did the 10km and will remember this for the rest of our lives! Thank you to everyone involved - you hosted a superb event! The Scottish weather added to our experience.
A brilliant event for all the family yet again, thanks so much to everyone who made it possible & the fun event that it is 🙏🏻 ❄️
First time at the event, done the 10k on Saturday, it was fantastic! Thanks to all the organisers and people who help 🥰 Will definitely come back next year!
Thanks for putting on a great event- so well organised and a friendly atmosphere too. My three kids and I all ran this weekend and they enjoyed it as much as I did. They're already talking about coming back next year!
Excellent weekend I was one of the first aiders and really enjoyed my time at Balmoral X
Loved it - I was very nervous about doing my first 10k in thirteen years but it was fabulous. Special shout out to the cheery lady on the car park gate who was chuckling when the gritters went past. Thank you to all the volunteers, and to everyone who clapped and smiled - it really helped! Xx
Great weekend - thanks to everyone for all the hard work.
Laura Bisset Duncan Bisset 👏👏
Awesome as always 👏
Love this event and so did these guys when i did my 10k and got a PB at this event - eye of the tiger!
Fab event, regardless of the weather…Looking forward to next year..🏃♀️🏃♂️🏴😀.
Wonderful event - thank you to all organisers and marshals for all the hard work. Especially today in the cold ❤️
Excellent weekend, thank you all so much. Great work from all the organisers and the cheery, encouraging marshals over the two days. Such an amazing venue and atmosphere 😊👏🏻👏🏻
great weekend - alot of hard work goes into it - appreciated Friskis&Svettis Aberdeen Aberdeen
Brilliant weekend all round. Thanks for putting on such an amazing event once again. The highlight of the year for the Fit Like Joggers Club
Thank you for organising such a great event as usual despite all the uncertainty around Scottish spring! The Marshalls and volunteers all did an excellent job. I'm sure there is a lot of blood sweat and tears that must have gone into organising such a great weekend in a beautiful setting. Well done 👏
Thank you to all for a fantastic event! As ever the Scottish weather delivered 🙂 Zero complaints from me, maybe not as needy as others considering the event is supported by volunteers.... Would anyone have a link for the 15mile trail run? I believe its a nice route to complete when the weather fairs...
Brilliant family event! So well organised. Well done to all involved in making this event run so smoothly.
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👀 Can you see yourself in the Press And Journal's amazing photo gallery of Saturday at Run Balmoral? Let us know!
📸 Big thanks to Kami Thomson and the photo desk at the P&J for their support and awesome pictures. It's a big event to cover, and they've done an amazing job capturing all the miles ... and all the smiles of our busy Saturday!
www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/education/schools/6983557/run-balmoral-2026-balmoral-estate-gallery/
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Gallery: Run Balmoral 2026 draws thousands to scenic estate
www.pressandjournal.co.uk
Thousands of runners and spectators gathered for Run Balmoral 2026, racing through the traffic-free grounds of Balmoral Castle and Estate.Comment on Facebook
Kirsty Pearson do you have a P&J subscription? I don’t haha
Barry Chalmers Jeannie Duthie 🏃♂️ 🏃♂️
Jeannie Duthie Barry Chalmers
Elaine Mitchell
Alexandra Eden Anderson 💪👏👏
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Debbie Greig retains the women’s 15 Mile Trail Race title with ease #runbalmoral
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Congratulations 🎊
Well done Debbie! 💪💪
Well done Debbie!!!
Woohoo go Debbie Greig
Second win of the day for Aaron Odentz: this time the James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race!
#runbalmoral
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Our 2026 Devils, just before they head out for their final test: the @jgcollie 15 Mile Trail Race (2026 version!) ... See MoreSee Less
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Fantastic devil 😈 run fae me Jen & Gregor... awesome weekend 🤩🤩🥳🥳
Absolute legends! Every one of them!
And the last race of Run Balmoral 2026 is off: the modified James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race!
#runbalmoral
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Looking for you Rachel 😱
Mike Smith
Colette Macdonald
Amyy Joan