Local professionals will offer insight and advice to all challenge seekers and aspiring competitors ahead of the 2018 BHGE 10k Running Festival at a free seminar in Aberdeen.
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen will next month (Thursday 8th March) hold the event at Transition Extreme, just days ahead of the official 10-week countdown to the Granite City’s road race, now in its 31st year.
The annual seminar will provide training and race day advice for both seasoned runners and those new to the sport and seeking a challenge from an array of guest speakers.
Alongside hints tips and insight into running for all levels and abilities, this year’s seminar will welcome Ben Mair, founder of ‘Granite City Guide Running’, a group aiming to encourage and develop guide runners for people with sensory impairment in Aberdeen.
Ben will talk about his experiences so far as a guide runner, as well as give some handy tips and advice on how you can become one.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session and then a taster session of guide running.
There are a limited amount of spaces and this will be offered on a first come first served basis. To sign up for one of these spaces please visit the Sport Aberdeen website.
Jill Franks, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Business Development, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for running enthusiasts of all levels and abilities to gain valuable insight, hints and tips and is set to be a great evening.
“We are delighted to welcome back both new and old faces and it is my hope that this will inspire more people to take on a challenge, whether that be beating a personal best or trying out guide running for the very first time.
“We were overwhelmed with the positive response to last year’s seminar, will all spaces being filled within the first 24 hours. Events like these are part of Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to inspiring more people to take part in sport and physical activity.”
Ben Mair, founder of Granite City Guide Running, also commented:
“It’s great that Sport Aberdeen go out of their way to put on an event like this, to help the people of the city prepare for the upcoming race season.
“I’m delighted to have been invited to talk at the seminar this year. It’s been such a rewarding experience so far being a Guide-Runner in Aberdeen, and I aim to use this event to inspire others to follow my lead and take a chance at becoming one too.”
For more information on the seminar and to sign up for a space click here.
Aberdeen Judo Club this week welcomed Scotland’s gold medal winning sisters for a special one-off coaching session.
Sisters Louise and Kimberley Renicks, who are both Commonwealth gold medallists from 2014, led sessions with the junior and senior groups at the local club on Tuesday (20th February) at the Beach Leisure Centre.
Alongside their Commonwealth Games success, the siblings have competed at European and World level. Jean Davidson Aberdeen Judo Club Secretary said, “it was an honour for the Club to have them take the sessions”.
The Granite City Martial Arts club runs on a Tuesday and a Thursday for juniors and seniors. The junior session is for children up to the age of 13 years and the senior session accommodates ages 14 and upwards.
The night was a resounding success with over 50 participants turning up for the special session including those travelling from other judo clubs around the North East.
Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:
“We were thrilled to welcome Louise and Kimberley to the Beach leisure Centre and to see such a strong turnout was great.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities and inspiring people to take part in sport and through local clubs we can encourage more people of all ages and abilities to get active.”
Jean Davidson, Aberdeen Judo Club Secretary, said:
“Louise and Kimberly were fantastic and held everyone’s attention during both junior and senior sessions. It was an honour for the club to have them take the sessions.
“This is something we need to do more of and hopefully we will be able to have another session like this in the future. The turnout we had was amazing and I would like to thank the clubs present for their support.”
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen, in partnership with North East Scotland College, inspired over 160 Aberdeen primary pupils to love sport this Valentine’s Day (February 14th).
Schools across Aberdeen City took part in the free sporting extravaganza with Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools Coordinators and North East Scotland College students delivering a variety of sessions throughout the action-packed day.
First year HNC Students delivered sports coaching and second year HND students organised the events as part of their relative placements.
School pupils were given the chance to take part in six different sports sessions throughout the day including football, rugby, basketball, badminton, athletics and dodgeball.
This is the second year the free event has run and is part of the official run up to the annual Aberdeen Youth Games which will take culminate with the annual festival of sport in May this year.
The partnership between Active Schools, part of Sport Aberdeen, and North East Scotland College allows students to deliver and plan sessions with the help of Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team
Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:
“Love Sport Day is a fantastic event for everyone involved. Local primary pupils are given the opportunity to take part in an action-packed day while students from North East Scotland College can enjoy some hands-on experience as part of their placement.
“This underlines Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to inspiring people to take part in sport and physical activity and removes barriers such a cost, providing a chance for all children to engage in activities, igniting a passion for sport which can last a lifetime.
“Sport Aberdeen’s partnership with North East Scotland College has enabled us to create more opportunities for the future of our sector.”
Commenting, North East Scotland College Sports Coaching and Workplace Coordinator, Jack Burnnett said:
“Our partnership with Sport Aberdeen, and by extension the local schools in our community, is very valuable to us as a College. It enables us to offer our students valuable vocational experience as well as benefit the local community and we’re proud to be a part of such a fantastic partnership.”
Aberdeen City Council has pledged to support a citywide transformational campaign aimed at getting more people more active in the North East.
The campaign, led by the Active Aberdeen Partnership (AAP), will champion a move to make 2018 the Year of an ‘Active City’, helping more people take part in sport and physical activity, creating better lifestyles and improving overall wellbeing.
Activate the City will strive to challenge national trends and create an active culture throughout Aberdeen, with a focus on impacting the health and social wellbeing of the Granite City’s communities whilst addressing overcoming barriers to participation.
Local communities will be called upon to help transform and encourage physical activity and sport engagement, with backing from strategic leaders, parents, teachers, friends and colleagues, helping to promote an active culture citywide.
The AAP is urging people to keep a look out as more information on this citywide campaign will be available soon which will give everyone the chance to pledge their support towards activating the city and helping to make Aberdeen healthier.
Tony Dawson, Active Aberdeen Partnership Chairman, said:
“Physical inactivity contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths a year in Scotland (1) and it is my hope that this is the beginning of a ground- breaking, transformational strategy, set to improve the health and wellbeing of the local population for years to come through embedding and celebrating an active culture citywide.
“Locals leaders have backed a drive to Activate the City, underling commitment to helping people take part in physical activity and sport, creating better lifestyles and improving wellbeing through being active more often.
“It is down to each and every one of us in Aberdeen to support the ambition to Activate the City and make Aberdeen the most active city in Scotland by 2020 by helping establish an active culture and making personal and organisational commitments to change.
“Everyone will soon have the chance to pledge to help Activate the City and work towards a healthier and happier Aberdeen together.”
Cllr Jenny Laing, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, said:
“Aberdeen City Council is committed to ensuring every community thrives and giving individuals the opportunities to prosper in all aspects of their lives. Health and wellbeing underpins that ambition for the people of the city and we are delighted to support an initiative which will have a positive impact across the city.
Cllr Douglas Lumsden, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, also commented:
“Through our events programme, which this year included the introduction of the Great Aberdeen Run and brought Tour Series Cycling to the north-east for the first time, we are making an investment in sport – both at elite level to encourage engagement but also crucially in opening up avenues for residents to participate.”
Golden Games Ambassadors
The Winter Golden Games were hosted at Westburn Outdoor Centre last Thursday (8th February), marking the launch of this year’s summer event and thanking those who work to bring the citywide games to life.
The Winter Golden Games, which launched last year, are delivered by the Active Aberdeen Partnership (AAP) and aim to get people aged 65 and over actively involved in physical activity regardless of age or ability.
The event also served as a thank you to the Golden Game Ambassadors for their continued support in developing, promoting and running the games, which has become a hugely successful and permanent fixture in Aberdeen’s sporting calendar.
The action-packed day included activities such as Boccia, Technogym, Pickleball, Health Walks and Seated Exercise, allowing new and regular Golden Games attendees to take part in physical activity.
The 2018 Golden Games will take place on Thursday 7th to Friday 15th June.
Tony Dawson, Active Aberdeen Chairman, commented:
“Physical activity has a hugely positive and lasting effect on overall health and wellbeing and taking part in sport is something that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
“The Winter Golden Games give us the perfect stage to recognise ambassadors and organisations who support the award-winning initiative, and I would like to thank each and every one of them on behalf of the Active Aberdeen Partnership.”
2017 label design winner Daisy Rennie with Active Schools Coordinator Sam Main.
Deeside Mineral Water, the official water partner of the BHGE 10k Running Festival, has launched a competition for local children to design the label for the water bottles that will be handed out on race day to over four thousand runners.
Young people from schools across Aberdeen City are being called upon to design labels which will encourage children to drink more water and highlight the importance of staying hydrated.
This is the third year that Deeside Mineral Water have run the water bottle label design competition in partnership with Sport Aberdeen, with over 100 entries received from children across the city last year.
The winning design will be made into the water bottle label that will be handed out to everyone taking part in the BHGE 10k Running Festival on Sunday 20th May 2018.
The winning designer will have the chance to be part of the official 10k race start and be invited to attend a special tour of the Deeside Mineral Water facilities where they can see their label being applied on to the bottles.
The BHGE 10k Running Festival is the North East’s longest running road race and is organised by registered charity Sport Aberdeen in partnership with BHGE.
Jill Franks, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Business Development, said:
“We have been hugely impressed by previous designs and are thoroughly looking forward to seeing more entries this year. Sport Aberdeen and Deeside Mineral Water are asking local children to think up new and inspiring ways to encourage their peers to drink more water and highlight the importance of staying hydrated, especially while running a race!
“This year we hope to see even more young people from across Aberdeen City and shire take on the challenge and get involved in this great opportunity and make a splash with their label designs!”
Managing Director of Deeside Mineral Water, Martin Simpson commented:
“For the last two years we have welcomed the winner to the factory at Ballater to see their label design come to life. As 2018 is Scotland’s Year of Young People we’re delighted to be launching this competition again, aimed at primary school children. It proved to be a great talking point with the runners on the day and we look forward to seeing what ideas the children create.”
Lesley McMullan, Marketing Specialist for BHGE said:
“As proud sponsors of the 10k we’re delighted that Deeside Mineral Water are running this competition for local primary schools again. It is a fantastic example to show that the BHGE 10k is a true community event and encourages people of all ages to have a healthier and more active lifestyle.”
Entry Deadline for label designs is midday on Monday 12th March 2018.
Click on the links to download entry form and fact sheet. Active Schools Coordinators will also be handing out competition entry forms in schools.
Scan and email your entry to: bhge10k@sportaberdeen.co.uk or
Send you completed entry to:
Events Team
Sport Aberdeen
Broadfold House
Broadfold Road
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen AB23 8E
Challenge seekers of all ages and abilities are being urged to come forward for the chance to be part of a team to take part in the BHGE 10k Running Festival.
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen is on the lookout for 10 people to join their #naeexcuses team and take on the BHGE 10k Running Festival 2018 which will take place from Aberdeen’s Beach Boulevard on Sunday 20th May.
The chosen #naeexcuses team ambassadors will be selected by a Sport Aberdeen panel and will be given free entry to the race alongside ongoing advice and support from the charity’s Health and Wellness team including a 10-weeks to 10k training plan.
Alongside the 10k and children’s 2k challenges, the running festival is the only event in Aberdeen to offer wheelchair road races, allowing people of all abilities to come together and take part in physical activity.
The BHGE 10k Running Festival is the North East’s longest running road race and each year attracts thousands of participants from all over the country whilst raising money for deserving charities.
Jill Franks, Sport Aberdeen’s Business Development Director, said:
“Sport Aberdeen is calling on real people who want to set themselves a goal, whether that is beating a personal best or taking part in any of our races for the very first time. The #naeexcuses team will bring together ambassadors of all ages and abilities to take on in Aberdeen’s longest standing running event.
“Each year we are overwhelmed by the support given to the event from the community. It’s an important part of Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to creating opportunities and changing lives through sport and physical activity and this year we want to inspire you to take on a new challenge.
“The BHGE 10k Running Festival is set in the heart of the community and we are proud to run an event which gives people of all abilities the chance to take part in the long-standing race.”
Are you finding it difficult to find motivation to train? Nervous to do your first ever race? Looking for advice and support in overcoming life and health concerns and obstacles, or even looking to take on a challenge to raise money for a cause that is close to your heart? If this sounds like you then click here to submit your application to our team.
As part of Ashley Road Primary School’s health week, Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools coordinators arranged a sport ‘Taster Day’.
The action-packed sessions took place at the Beach Leisure Centre and the Linx Ice Arena and saw almost 50 primary 7 pupils attend the event.
Each pupil received a 30-minute taster of the following, alongside an ice skating session at the Linx Ice Arena.
- Badminton delivered by badminton Scotland
- Netball delivered by Netball Scotland
- Volleyball delivered by Aberdeen Grammar School Volleyball Club
- Basketball delivered by Panthers Basketball Club
- 45 minutes ice skating at the Linx Ice Arena
For more information on Active Schools Aberdeen, click here.
A Master’s student, studying at the University of Aberdeen, is set to present their work at a prestigious poster competition for early career science researchers held in Westminster.
Josefine Björkqvist has been selected for the STEM for Britain Awards, a prestigious series of poster competitions and exhibitions which are held in the House of Commons during British Science Week.
Josefine undertook an industrial placement year with Move More Aberdeen, an award-winning partnership project funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and delivered in partnership with Sport Aberdeen. The focus of her research during her time with Move More Aberdeen was to evaluate the long-term impact of exercise referral for people living with cancer.
Candidates will present frontier UK research within science, engineering, and mathematics to members of both Houses of Parliament on the 12th March 2018.
Josefine said:
“Advances in medicine mean that people diagnosed with cancer are living longer, however many experience long-term side-effects of the cancer and treatment. Being active not only reduces the side-effects of treatment but it has also been shown to improve survival for some types of cancer.”
“Move More Aberdeen has demonstrated a significant long-term increase in activity levels, a decrease in fatigue and improvement in quality of life for participants. The programme is a feasible model for integrating physical activity into routine cancer care.”
Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:
“This achievement is a true testament to Josefine’s hard work and commitment to improving the lives of people living with, and beyond, cancer and her drive to develop an innovative approach to achieving positive outcomes through physical activity.
“On behalf of Sport Aberdeen I would like to congratulate Josefine and wish her the best of luck at the competition.”
Macmillan Partnership Manager Joanne Adamson said:
“I am delighted that Josefine has been selected to present her work at Westminster. She has been key to establishing an innovative, person centred physical activity programme for people living with, and beyond cancer in Aberdeen, which has demonstrated great outcomes for people. On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support and our Move More projects across Scotland we wish Josefine every success.”
An Aberdeen initiative aiming to level the playing field for young girls in sport, has taken on their first placement student to help push forward pioneering work with added ‘womanpower’.
The Active Girls Committee (AGC), put together by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team and run by girls from secondary schools across the city, launched in October 2016 and was one of the first of its kind in Scotland.
Rebecca Porteous, who is currently in her 3rd year at Robert Gordon University studying for a degree in Applied Sport & Exercise Science, has taken on the role of Active Girls Committee Coordinator for a six week placement.
Rebecca will be working collectively with the AGC to source funding, organise and plan projects and events while liaising with schools, clubs and local sports organisations, raising awareness and encouraging more girls to take part in sport.
Research undertaken by the AGC last year found that nearly six out of ten Aberdeen secondary school girls don’t take part in sport because they feel self-conscious.
The group is championing a move to get more young girls involved in sport and physical activity, whilst breaking down barriers to participation.
Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:
“From the offset, the Active Girls Committee has been a force to reckon with and have already inspired an increasing number of young girls to take up sport and physical activity in Aberdeen.
“It is more important than ever to recognise the barriers that young women are faced with today, and with added ‘womanpower’ the committee have even more potential to have an impact on increasing the activity among young women and girls, inspiring more people to participant in sport.”
Rebecca Porteous also added:
“I was really interested in taking on a lead role and liked the idea of a ‘girls only’ committee. I was already aware of the difference of male and female participation in sport and with being a female I wanted to help the further development of changing this.”
Aimee Work, Active Girls Committee Chairperson, commented:
“This committee is full of strong, motivated and passionate young woman who I am exceptionally proud to represent. It is a great help having Rebecca here with us, helping us to put our promoting ideas into practice so that more and more girls can get involved.
“With hard work and determination our committee has already seen a significant increase in girl’s participation, which is something we wish to continue.”
Image: Active Girls Committee members with Robert Gordon University student Rachel Porteous (front right).