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Run Garioch design competition won by Banff Academy pupil Tomas Allan (14)


By Lewis McBlane

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A BANFF Academy pupil has won a design competition hosted by Run Garioch.

Christine Appel, Run Garioch 10k race support manager, Tomas and Dandara head of sales Claire Bathgate with his winning design.
Christine Appel, Run Garioch 10k race support manager, Tomas and Dandara head of sales Claire Bathgate with his winning design.

Talented pupil Tomas Allan (14) designed a poster for the running event, which takes place in Inverurie this Sunday (May 15), which will be used as the front cover of the event programme.

The winning design beat more than 60 entries from schools across Aberdeenshire to win the top prize of £75 of vouchers funded by event sponsors Dandara and Run4It.

Featuring an avocado in running gear, with a determined expression, the design combines key Run Garioch themes.

The winning design for Run Garioch
The winning design for Run Garioch

Tomas chose an avocado to reflect the event's focus on healthy living, while the colour green represents the event's environmental aims.

He said: “I knew the colour green was important to Run Garioch, and I wanted to draw something green that was running.

"I thought if I just did a runner, a lot of other people would be doing that too.

"I wanted to make it better, so I did some research and came up with the avocado.

“With my mum being a dietician and my dad being a PE teacher, it was always destined to be a fruit.”

Tomas received his prize from Claire Bathgate, Head of Sales at Dandara Aberdeen.

Dandara Aberdeen is sponsoring the 10K race.

Ms Bathgate said: “There were so many good entries it was hard to draw up a shortlist, but Tomas’ design really stood out.

"Everyone who saw it loved it because it was a bit different and showed he was thinking out of the box.

“It perfectly encapsulates the important role exercise and healthy eating play in ensuring our good mental health and wellbeing, especially after the last two years of the pandemic.

“We are so proud to be sponsoring the 10K again this year and I know local people will be delighted to be outside again cheering on the runners.”

Three main events are on offer at Run Garioch, including a half-marathon, a 5K and a 10K, along with three children's runs and an event village.

The day will raise money for Inverurie's Garioch Sports Centre.

Anticipation is running high for the event's real life return, after being cancelled for two years due to Covid, with over 2000 runners already signed up.

Graham Morrison, Run Garioch race director, said: “We were delighted to receive so many entries from children across Aberdeenshire for our first ever design contest.

"Tomas’ design put a smile on all our faces and makes us look forward to race day even more.

"We can’t wait to see all our runners, volunteers, spectators, charities and spectators back on the start line in just a few weeks’ time.”

For more information about Run Garioch please visit www.rungarioch.co.uk.


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