Run Balmoral participants this year not only enjoyed the scenery of the countryside of upper Deeside but helped tackle the local impact of climate change.

In a move to improve sustainability around the flagship annual running festival, event organisers donated over £5,000 to the River Dee Trust’s One Million Tree campaign in place of providing runners with event t-shirts.

Run Balmoral’s Chair James Knowles explains:

“For 2025 we wanted to pro-actively address the sustainability of our event and demonstrate how things can be done differently. Engaging with the River Dee Trust, a truly local conservation charity, and committing funds to its multi-award winning One Million Trees campaign, was a natural fit for Run Balmoral.

Replacing event t-shirts with native trees planted across the upper Dee catchment, not only creates a legacy for Run Balmoral for generations to come but, more importantly, will provide shade over many kilometres of Dee catchment, lowering the water temperature and increasing the chance of survival for endangered species such as Atlantic salmon and Freshwater Pearl Mussels.”

Debbie Cooper, Development & Promotions Officer at the Trust, continues:

“This generous donation from the Run Balmoral team will not only enable us to continue to work towards our one million tree target but has also provided valuable exposure for our conservation work.

The One Million Trees Campaign was launched in 2020, after recording dangerously high-water temperatures in the tributaries of the Dee that are vital nursery areas for young salmon. In April this year we planted our 500,000^th tree, well ahead of schedule.

“The donation from Run Balmoral will contribute towards up to one hectare of native riverbank tree planting with species including Alder, Aspen and Willow.

As well as providing cooling shade, the trees will help to increase biodiversity and stabilise riverbanks and river channels from erosion in times of flood. The leaf litter trees create will feed aquatic insects which improve food sources for wildlife.”

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To find out more about the One Million Trees Campaign and the work of the River Dee Trust Conservation Charity visit our website here – https://riverdee.org.uk/one-million-trees/

For more information about Run Balmoral, including current sponsorship opportunities, please www.runbalmoral.com or contact christine.appel@runbalmoral.com

PHOTO CREDIT – Kevin McGarry

SOURCE: RIVER DEE