Ballater Games Hill Race
There have been Games held in Ballater since 1864 and, apart from the war years, the Games have continued uninterrupted until the present day (let's not mention 2020!)
| Date | Thursday 14th August, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Distance | 3.5K |
| Location | Monaltrie Park |
| Town/City | Ballater |
| Area | North East |
| Start postcode | AB35 5NN |
| Organiser | Chris Tomlinson |
| Website | Visit website |
| Run For Charity |  Start Fundraising On GoFundMe |
The race route is twice anti-clockwise round the Games arena, out of the Games Park, following Provost Craig road until it joins the A93 (Ballater – Braemar), then turning left to cross over the railway bridge and down the main street through the village centre. The route through the village is not open to deviation.
You then cross the bridge over the River Dee and follow the clearly marked recommended route to the summit of the hill. You then run around the cairn (receiving a proof stamp from the race official) before descending the same route down the hill, through the village and into the Games Park, completing one lap anti-clockwise of the arena and finishing in front of the Chieftain’s tent.
The recommended route is directly up the middle of the hill following a well-worn path. The path varies in underfoot conditions and difficulty. .
The path narrows in several places and may result in runners having to leave the path to overtake slower runners. Slower runners still making their way to the summit should give way and move aside to faster runners making their descent.
