Get on your marks for half-marathon
Sign up for big Rattray/Blairgowrie event
There’s less than two weeks to go until the RattrayBlairgowrie half-marathon returns and runners and walkers from Perthshire are being urged to take part.
Keen marathon runner Peter Ritchie from Rattray brought the Rattray-Blair half-marathon back to the area last year after an absence of more than 20 years.
Nearly 400 runners and walkers signed up to take part in the event, which raised £5000 for local charities.
And this year, 320 people have already registered to take part including Peter himself, who left for Peru on Friday to complete a marathon on the South American continent.
Having taken part in the ice marathon in Antarctica last November, this latest marathon will see Peter join an elite club of fewer than 700 people to finish a 26-mile race on every continent.
Speaking before he headed to Michelle Mackay, winner of the women’s race last year
South America, Peter said: “I’m looking forward to taking part in the Rattray-Blair half marathon on June 3 and I am leaving the organisation of it all in the safe hands of Bob Ellis.
“We’re really pleased with the number of people who have registered to take part already -
we’ve got 45 runners from Perth taking part as well as folk coming from Orkney, Inverness, Forres and even Brighton - and although online entries have now closed, people will still be able to register on the day.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has donated items for the raffle or supported the event so far, including Strathmore Water who have donated the water for the event, and Springfield Properties who donated £1500 for medals and t-shirts for everyone who takes part.
“We’re very grateful for the support of the local community and are still looking for more donations for prizes and of home baking if anyone can help out at all.”
The 13.1-mile route leaves from Back Row in Rattray, heading towards Tullyfergus and Alyth Den, along to Bamff and the Drimmie road and back to Back Row with the finish line on Rattray Common.
Registration on race day is at the Rattray Community Connect building from 8am.
The walk leaves at 9am and the race starts at 10am.
All entrants must be over 17-years-old. There is an entry fee of £20 per person, £18 for members of Scottish Athletics.
For further information or to donate or support the event, contact Peter Ritchie on 01250 873923.