Road running clubs have deep roots in Granite City

Aberdeen’s road running roots can be traced back to the late 19th Century with the establishment of the city’s first club, Shire Harriers, in 1889.

Charles Glennie, one of the founder members of the original Aberdeen Football Club, in 1881, was one of the driving forces behind setting up the Harriers although, oddly, he doesn’t seem to have been an active member.

John McHardy, another key player in establishing Aberdeen FC, also helped the Harriers on occasions and acted as race referee for the 1894 Dee to Don race.

The first Aberdeen championship road race was held in 1893 over a five mile course from Torry. Three clubs were represented – Shire, Gymnastic and Thistle Harriers. Frank Anderson was the individual winner and led Shire to a comfortable team victory.

The Harriers organised their first “marathon” in 1909 on an 18-mile course between Banchory and Aberdeen.

The Aberdeen Journal stated: “The proper marathon distance is somewhere near 26 miles, but it was felt that the run from Banchory to Aberdeen would be quite sufficient as a severe test of the powers of endurance of the club members.”

Joe Munro won and afterwards told how he had consumed milk, Bovril tablets and soda water en route to victory in front of thousands of spectators.

Various courses were used during subsequent years but the event continued until the 1930s.

The outbreak of the Second World War brought an end to all organised running events and although Shire Harriers reformed again in 1946 the club struggled to make much headway and it folded in 1950.

The city was without an athletic club until 1952 when Aberdeen AAC was formed.