A group of seven north-east charities have been selected by the organisers of Run Garioch to be the official charity partners of the sporting event which takes place on Sunday, March 20, 2016.
This is the first time the race organisers have assigned official charities for the event and it’s hoped the move will raise awareness of the organisations and boost funds, with the charities in turn providing support by fulfilling volunteer roles on the day and assisting with the development of the event village.
Each of the selected charities; Aberdeen Cyrenians, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Inspire Partnership, Clan, Cash For Kids and Befriend a Child, are also guaranteed spaces in the Dandara 10k with Charlie House taking part in the CP&Co Junior Run.
Race Director Eric Simpson said: “Run Garioch is now the second biggest sporting event in the north-east and we know our runners are just as dedicated and passionate about raising money for charities close to their hearts, as they are about taking part in the race itself.
“Each of the charity partners we’ve selected do a huge amount of work for incredibly worthwhile causes in the north east, and we are honoured to have them represented at our event.”
Award-winning housebuilder Dandara is proudly supporting the 10k once again, which will have a new and improved route for 2016. Following feedback from runners, the 10k will share the final few kilometres with the 5k and half marathon routes, finishing on Burghmuir Drive.
This year the female and male winners of the 10k will be awarded £100, with second and third place runners receiving £75 and £25 respectively and there will be a further £25 prize for the AB51 fastest runner. In addition there will be also be trophies for the fastest team of four taking part in the 10k local business challenge, the fastest secondary-school team and the fastest secondary school male and female runners.
Dandara's sales manager in Aberdeen, Peter Best, said: “This is a fantastic event which brings together thousands of sporting enthusiasts to support the hard work of charities who go above and beyond to help people in the north east.
“We’ve already got a team of more than twenty Dandara employees signed up to take part in the 10k and we’d encourage runners of all ages and abilities to join us in what is a brilliant day out in aid of a range of great causes.”
Organisers hope more than 2500 adults, covering 5k, 10k and half marathon distances, and up to 750 children in three shorter races of their own, will be taking part in Run Garioch 2016, making the sporting occasion the biggest in its history when the starter’s gun sounds on Sunday March 20, 2016.
Garioch Sports Trust, the registered charity formed in 1990 to manage the Garioch Sports Centre and encourage local residents to develop an interest in sporting activities and exercise, organises the event.
All funds raised by Run Garioch support the Garioch Sports Trust in providing sporting facilities and opportunities for the people for Aberdeenshire. Funds from previous events have supported the construction of a world-class 3G football pitch, and thanks to support from last year’s 10th anniversary event the organisation was able to fund the launch of a new website.
Registration for Run Garioch will close in the middle of February, or as each event sells out. For more details on the event and to register please visit www.rungarioch.co.uk