Aberdeen’s running community came out in full force on Sunday 18th May at the Gathimba Edwards Foundation Duthie Park 5k race.
The event, which marked the return of the city’s iconic 5K race route, raised an impressive total of £3533 to support children in both the North East of Scotland and Kenya.
Organised by the Aberdeen-based charity and proudly supported by event sponsor neospace, the run marked the first race in this year’s GEF Safari Series, which also includes the Prime Four 3K on 29th June and Mel’s Union Street Mile on 23rd August.
The morning brought together a record-breaking 264 runners of all ages and abilities from seasoned club athletes chasing personal bests to young children taking part in the 1K fun run. The event was made possible thanks to the incredible support of 50 volunteers and welcomed nine local business stallholders.
Runner Michael Crawford
Speaking after the event, GEF co-founder and former Scottish 1,500m champion Myles Edwards said: “It’s amazing to see Duthie Park alive with runners again. The support we’ve had, from our volunteers, sponsors, runners, and spectators, has been overwhelming. Thanks to them, we’re able to make a real difference to the lives of children here in the north-east and in Kenya.”
Congratulations go to the event’s race winners:
5K Male Winner: Sean Chalmers – 15:57
5K Female Winner: Elina Smith – 18:03
1K Boy: James Gerrard – 3:21
1K Girl: Jessica Dalberg-Anderson – 3:55
Male winner Sean Chalmers and Female winner Elina Smith
Duthie Park has a special place in Aberdeen’s running history. In the early 1990s, it hosted elite races featuring Olympic legends like Steve Cram, Liz McColgan, and Yvonne Murray. And long before that, it was the starting point of the very first North of Scotland championship races back in the 1890s.
All funds raised from the event will go towards GEF’s work providing education, shelter, and wellbeing support for children and families facing hardship. In Kenya, support includes public education scholarships, house building, counselling and farming assistance. In the north-east Scotland, the charity offer grant funding for specialist equipment and services to families who have a child with a disability or life limiting condition.
To find out more about the Safari Series or GEF’s wider work, visit: https://gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org