Excited reaction to first Dee to Don race

Champagne was flowing freely at the end of Aberdeen’s inaugural Dee to Don race in 1894 as runners, spectators and patrons of the sport gathered in a local pub.

The Aberdeen Journal reported that the event, the first of its kind in the city, “created much excitement in running circles.”

Competitors were set off at five minute intervals and had to plan their own routes, starting at the north end of the Bridge of Dee and finishing at the south end of the Bridge of Don.

George Farquhar of Shire Harriers emerged as the best of the bunch, swiftly navigating his way through the cobbled streets to earn the silver trophy.

Runner-up Frank Anderson went home with a silver teapot while third-placed Willie Rennie secured a case of carvers.

A former Town Councillor, Mr Lyon, who was a keen follower of the sport, sponsored the event and presented the prizes afterwards in the Don View pub where all 11 competitors enjoyed “flowing champagne” while “several toasts were hilariously pledged.”

However, race winner Farquhar’s celebrations were cut short a few days later when he took seriously ill with blood poisoning.

Apparently dye from the red socks he wore on his run infected an old foot wound.

Another race was held between the two bridges in 1903, this time on a handicap basis over a set route. Victory went to W. Edwards.

Traffic congestion may not have been as big an issue then as it is now, but the organisers still took time to thank the Chief Constable, Mr Anderson, “who kindly had the route cleared along Union Street.”