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
Video Sponsor and Video Partner:
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.
James Knowles
Chair, Balmoral Road Races Ltd, October 2025
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.
Well, we haven't got the weather we wanted for the weekend, but we will still have plenty of food in our Event Village!
🍩 Popsey's Donuts
🍦Ashers Ice Cream
🦞The Seafood Bothy
🍔 G&M Whyte's Burgers and More
☕ G&M Whyte's Coffee, Homebakes and Cakes
🍕Haydn's Woodfired Pizzas
🐽Balnault Farm Hog Roast
💷 As we are in a rural location, reception can be variable and card machines tempermental. Please help our wonderful vendors out by bringing cash if you can!
Seafood Bothy Haydn's Woodfired Pizza Balnault farm Popseys G & M Whyte Event Caterers Balmoral Castle ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Delighted to be a spectator tomorrow 😋😂
🚘TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL INFORMATION 🚘
Just a quick note to remind everyone heading to Run Balmoral this weekend that there may be queuing on the A93 in both directions at Crathie. Please plan your travel accordingly.
Traffic heading from Ballater to Braemar on the A93 (and vice versa) will still be allowed to pass, but be prepared for delays to your journey.
The South Deeside Road (B976) CANNOT be used for travel to the races.
👉 More information is available on the Aberdeenshire Council website under 'Ballater' online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/roadworks/
Balmoral Castle ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Hells teeth. We're staying at Cambus o May. No idea what im doing now 🤦♀️
So can only use a93 coming from Aberdeen side?
Nicola Ewing
Craig Verth
Scott Dunbar
Martin Cossar
Julie Cheyne Jason Cheyne FYI
Run Balmoral please PM me
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❗15 MILE TRAIL RACE UPDATE❗
After an inspection of the course and a review of both current and forecast conditions, Sunday's 15 Mile Trail Race will now be run as TWO LAPS OF THE 10K COURSE.
This new route will still give runners a longer challenge (approximately 12.5M), but keep them off the highest and most exposed part of the course, Ripe Hill, where conditions are already challenging.
The event will still form part of the Devil of Deeside Challenge.
The start time will remain the same, but the prize-giving may be brought forward.
We appreciate this is disappointing news, but the safety of our runners, marshals, volunteers and spectators is paramount.
There are no changes currently planned for any of our other events.
Thank you for your understanding! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Great news it’s still going ahead..🏃♀️🏃♂️🏴😀
Fiona Mitchell Nicola Taylor
If I wanted to run 10k twice I would do that, appreciate safety issues but offer chance to cancel, do another event or postpone!
Great decision making in a very reasonable proactive timescale, appreciate the attention to safety and event viability.
Thank you for the update and all the efforts behind it.❤️
Important update
Lilys Outdoor Adventures we are still on.
Run Balmoral do you need anymore volunteers as now free this weekend
Mark Crawford
Shona Esson
Connor Cormack
👏👏
Micha Thompson
Charlie Burr
Hayden Gold
Ian Delph
Jenny Armstrong Fiona Skene
Ashleigh Howie
Paul Kennedy
Kristina Stahlmann
Martin Cossar
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📣 RUN BALMORAL 2026 IS FINALLY HERE 📣
Our full event programme is now online, with everything you need to know about race weekend.
❗Weather for the next few days looks to be on the chilly, and possibly wet, side of things, so please dress and plan your travel accordingly.
🎒There is a bag drop near the start/finish area where you can store warm/dry clothes for before/after your race. The bag drop is operated by the Crathie School PTA as a fundraiser and the cost is £1 per item.
👉https://runbalmoral.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/rb-2026-programme.pdf ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Possibly wet???? 🤣
Will there be food stands?
Have a great time, everyone!
Did the 10 k twice fa tastic day out good run dont worry s about the hill just walk it it could be four seasons in one day so sign up for the ten k or 5 k run
Is the 5km track cover in snow/ice?
Gillian Linney Amanda Dickinson
Stephanie McRae
Amanda Knight Lindsay Scott Duncan
Kim Tate Alana Morrison
Stuart Gladstone Kyle Ainslie
Ailsa Lipp
Abbigail Van Zyl
My sons number/chip hasn’t turned up in the post 🙃 Any advice?
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🐣We’ve got a few treats in store for our younger visitors to Run Balmoral this Easter weekend! 🐣
Saturday, 4th April (9am-2.30pm)
Pick up your activity sheet at the Kayleigh’s Wee Stars gazebo in the Event Village, then have a look round our food stalls, children’s activities and charity tents for the hidden letters. When you’ve found all the letters, and rearranged them to make an Easter word, return to the KWS tent to collect your Cadbury’s Crème Egg prize (last collection 2.30pm)!
🙏Thanks to Kayleigh's Wee Stars for helping and Green’s of Braemar for donating our Saturday treats!
Sunday, 5th April (9am–5pm)
Pick up your activity pack and map at the entry gate or in the event field. Follow the trail to find the letters hidden along the way. When you’ve found all the letters, and rearranged them to make an Easter word, return to the gift shop to collect your chocolate prize (last collection 5pm)!
🙏 Thanks to Iguana Chocolate for supplying our Sunday treats!
❗Quantities and times are limited for both, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Greens of Braemar Iguana Chocolate Kayleigh's Wee Stars Balmoral Castle ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Given the forecast for high winds, especially given the number of inflatables/ marquees that are likely to be present- can you advise whether you intend to go ahead in the face of the current yellow weather warning? What about if it escalates to amber? A number of people will be setting off to travel on friday afternoon, so an early "heads up" would be very useful.
What is the weather like at the moment and the forecast for Saturday?
Conor Cormack
Are you allowed to take dogs with you for the Easter hunts? 🙂
⏰ When this beautiful castle tower clock strikes 11:59 pm, entries to Run Balmoral 2026 will close ⏰
👉That gives you just a few more hours to enter our fantastic event on www.runbalmoral.com ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
📣 It's not just runners we can't wait to see at Run Balmoral next weekend. 📣
Huge shout out to all our amazing spectators and supporters -- no matter who they're supporting or where they're cheering our runners on: at the finish line, out on the route, or, er, from the top of their patrol vehicle!
📅 Saturday (4th): MPH Primary Schools 1.5km Race; RAM Tubulars Secondary Schools 2.5km Race; Harbour Energy 5k; Stena Drilling 10k
📅 Sunday (5th): James & George Collie 15 Mile Trail Race; Run Balmoral 6 Mile Trail Race (Just FIVE places left)❗
👉 www.runbalmoral.com
‼️ ALL ENTRIES MUST close 23.59pm, Monday 30 March 2026
#aberdeenshirerunning #scottishrunning #oneweektogo #runningfans #rundaddyrun #runmummyrun #braemarmountainrescue James & George Collie LLP McIntosh Plant Hire & Heavy Logistics RAM Tubulars ... See MoreSee Less
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We can't wait to welcome runners from clubs and groups from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and all across the country to the first day of Run Balmoral 2026 in exactly one week's time!
👟 Which club, group, university, school or workplace will you be representing? Let us know in the comments!
Want to join us but haven't entered yet? Get your trainers on, fast!
❗ALL entries close this Monday night, 30 March at 23.59pm.
📅 Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th April 2026
👉 ENTER NOW ON www.runbalmoral.com
#scottishrunning #runABCScotland #runaberdeen #Run4It #runningfestival #visitABDN #visitcairngorms #visitballater #fitlikejoggers ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Can I walk this? Or do I need to run/jog
Can I ask is there an age limit for this , my sons 14 ? Thanks
Jog Scotland Kintore & JSK R.C 💙🧡🤘
The Fit Like Joggers Club
Tarland Primary School Parents! 🎒🍎📕
Girls That Jeff
Hidden Peak Running
Jog Scotland Bridge of Don
Looking forward to a day out with all my Rebel PT buddies!
Coming up from London
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