PICTURES: Organisers have bold ambitions to keep growing Aviemore half-marathon and 10K
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Organisers of the Aviemore half-marathon and 10K race have said they are keen to build on the success of the weekend's events.
Runners-taking part in the run weekend were full of praise for the course even if they said it was a challenging route.
Nearly 500 people ended up taking on the half-marathon on Saturday and some 350 ran the 10K yesterday.
It is the second time that the off-road half-marathon route which is an in and out race from Badaguish Outdoor Centre by Glenmore has been run albeit this year there were some slight modifications from the first year.
Organisers the Speyside Trust said the event will continues to evolve and improve on the experience for runners whilst reducing the impact on locals and other visitors to Glenmore Forest.
The half marathon and the 10K run both managed to dodge the rain which defied forecasts of a rain-sodden Sunday and did not sweep into the strath until mid-afternoon yesterday.
Speaking to the Strathy on Saturday as half marathon runners continued to cross the finish line, race director Ian Jones said: "There has been a lot of organisation involved and the day has gone really smoothly.
"The racers I have spoken to have thoroughly enjoyed the course, weather and views. They have maybe not recorded personal bests but that is the nature of this course.
"We are trying to build the event as something quite unique. It is one of a very few completely off-road half-marathons and 10Ks in Scotland and the scenery is second to none.
"We are very much trying to focus on Badaguish (run by the Speyside Trust) as the event's centre."
"The weekend should bring in somewhere in the region of £10,000 and we hope that will build year-on-year – the intention is to grow the event.
"This makes a sizeable donation to the charity and allows it to further its aims which also includes working with Able 2 Adventure and Alzheimers Scotland just to name two who are here today supporting us."
Mr Jones said that both the course and the event itself are evolving: "We got very good feedback from racers and some suggestions and we have implemented some of these including actually taking out one of the big hills from last year's course.
"We are continuing to have discussions to develop the offering including a 5K run for kids.
"Another of our ambitions is to make this a very green event. We want to minimise waste, use sustainable materials as much as we possibly can."
Buses were used to ferry the runners up and down the Glenmore corridor to reduce the use of cars.
One event of the new course is that it only has one road crossing compared to 13 on the previous route which finished on the Strathspey Lawns in the centre of Aviemore.
Fellow race organiser Scott McNeish said: "There was much uncertainty last year and this feels like a new event and this weekend has established it.
"We want to maintain the Aviemore half-marathon brand but hold it in the environment Aviemore stands for with Badaguish at the centre of the event.
"We can build on the current successes with children's races, partnerships and the festival feel and have a real future classic. But for the second year in it has been a massive success."
George Hobson, chief executive and trustee, said on Saturday afternoon: "The day has gone very well. The team has put on a very good show and everyone I have spoken to has enjoyed it. We have been lucky with the weather – the sun always shines on the righteous.
"The feedback from the runners is that the route is very picturesque but a little bit hilly but overall that is a very good course."
He continued: "We have 465 runners out of about 600-odd entries so it is quite a big drop-out and at this point we do not quite know why that is the case but we plan to find out."
Around 360 entrants took park in the 10K race.
Ellis Brigham was the main event sponsor with Speyside Kitchen, Russwood, Highland Home Centre, Trail Running Scotland, John Ross Funeral Directors and Back Country Survival also providing invaluable support.
The Aviemore Half Marathon results can be viewed here and the 10K results can be found clicking here
