Successful day in the sun for 'challenging' Huntly run
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HUNDREDS of runners took on the challenge of Room to Run as part of Hairst celebrations at the weekend.
Organisers say 800 adults and children signed up for the day, with the weather being ideal.
Fi Thomson, who is one of the three founding organisers of the event, said: "When we originally launched the run, several years ago, we had 150 runners. To see 800 people taking part this year is just fantastic."
The event was originally launched after Fi had success with her Jog Scotland group at Networks of Wellbeing, Huntly.
It is also coordinated by Huntly Sports Trust and Huntly Rinnin Quines and Loons.
Fi, who is a social inclusion and dementia worker at NoW, said: "The idea was to get people out running for their wellbeing and to make social connections, whatever their fitness level.
"It progressed from there and with the help of Kevin Sangster and Bruce Murray we got the first Room to Run on the go.
"It's perfect to tie in with the Hairst because both events feed each other. People are attracted to the running event so it provides more custom to the Hairst and, likewise, people are keen to sign up for the run because they will get a good day out too."
The run was originally a 5K and then progressed to a 10K and half marathon – which is equivalent of 21K.
"People enjoy coming to this event because it's a challenging route with the hills," said Fi. "It's an exciting run to complete."
Winners of the event included: 5K Kyle Gibson; 10K James Turnbull; and half marathon Bryan Smart.
Fi commended the runners and said: "Huge congratulations go to the winners, but I'd really like to emphasise that completing the race, whatever your time or position, is an achievement.
"It's often the stragglers who stagger over the finish line at the back that I'm most proud of. I know what it feels like to be at the end of a race and they have often worked the hardest to get there.
"I'm proud of everyone who takes part."
Running clubs from all over Aberdeenshire gather to take part in this annual event and often schedule it as their championship run.
Local group Huntly's Rinnin Quines and Loons were out in force too.
Although numbers were very impressive, Fi says they are slightly down on previous years.
"We have seen evidence of some people struggling to get back into their running since the pandemic," she said.
"With various reasons for anxiety, such as having to get used to being around people again after the lockdowns, or the cost-of-living crisis now, there are some people who are not back out yet.
"We want to encourage them to embrace this challenge. Running can be so good for anxiety. It can help cope with stress."
