Sponsorship boost for the Devil of Deeside
The Devil of Deeside Challenge at RunBalmoral 2017 has been quick to capture the imagination of endurance athletes and now the event has attracted a major sponsor which will raise the profile of the competition to an even higher level and result in an improved range of prizes being offered.
Aberdeen-based company Repsol Sinopec Resources UK will support the exciting new event, which will be a key feature of the 20th anniversary RunBalmoral race meeting to be held over the weekend of 22-23 April 2017. Close to 5,000 competitors will take part in the programme of races for all age groups.
Competitors in the Devil of Deeside Challenge have to take part in all four adult races held over the two days of the RunBalmoral meeting. They'll start off with the ConocoPhillips 5km and the Stena Drilling 10km on the Saturday, before doing the Apollo duathlon and the TRAC 15 mile trail race on the Sunday. All races are held within the magnificent grounds of the Balmoral estate.
RunBalmoral Chairman James Knowles said: “I am delighted that Repsol Sinopec has come on board to support this exciting new initiative. We wanted to come up with something a little different for our 20th anniversary and believe the Devil will test the hardiest of competitors. We know that some people have tackled all four races in previous years so decided it would be interesting to turn it into a proper competition for2017.
“Repsol Sinopec’s involvement will allow us to offer some wonderful prizes with the men’s and women’s winners each receiving a specially commissioned and uniquely designed trophy. Competitors will also be given distinctive t-shirts to wear which will make them easily identifiable in all the races.
“We already have 45 people signed up for the Challenge, which, I must admit, is more than I expected, and I’m hopeful of seeing at least 50 taking part in what promises to be an exciting but exhausting two days of competition. Perhaps some of the Repsol Sinopec staff might be persuaded to have a go.”
Bill Dunnett, Managing Director of Repsol Sinopec added:“We’re very pleased to be able to support this exciting and challenging new event in RunBalmoral’s 20th year. Over the years it has become a highlight of both the sporting and social calendars.
“Many of our staff are already looking forward to getting involved – either by running themselves, cheering others on, or helping to raise funds for the many good causes the event supports. I intend to raise some sponsorship and to participate myself.”
So, what inspires people to become one of the Devils of Deeside? Sarah Knox (handicap 9.4), from Aberdeen, is one of the 45 bravehearts who have signed up for the gruelling competition.
She said: “I just decided I needed a challenge. I have never done any of the events at Balmoral, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about it from friends who have run there before, so I thought this was the perfect way to experience it.
“I’m a runner and I have never done a duathlon, but I’ve bought a mountain bike so I’ve plenty of time to get used to it. I’m hoping to sign up for a mountain bike skills course to help me with that but at the moment I have no idea what the biking will be like. I need to build up my confidence.
“I’ve never run any further than a little over 15 miles in my life before while I’ll have to run about 30 over two days at Balmoral plus the biking as well, but I’ m sure I’ll be able to do it. My weekly plan is to do six days of running, one day of mountain-bike training, one spin class and some strength work in the gym. It will be an amazing experience.”