Spiritofrun iskeptalive

Organisers of a popular New Year’s Day Fun Run and Walk in Perthshire were forced to cancel the event for the first time in its history due to coronavirus restrictions.

But many locals ensured to keep its spirit alive by safely taking part in their own family groups across Friday and Saturday.

The event, which has taken place in Blairgowrie every January 1 for the last 36 years, usually sees hundreds of local people in action and also welcomes visitors to the area.

People of all ages and abilities get together on the first day of the year to blow away some of the excesses of the festive period.

As well as being a great way to start the new year for residents keen to catch up with friends, runners also come from all over the UK.

However, after a record number of more than 600 entrants in 2020, raising £1400 for charity, the event was not able to go ahead this year.

Instead people were encouraged to complete the route in their own family groups and upload any photos or messages to the Blairgowrie Runners Facebook page.

Tom Lloyd-Oliphant, from Blairgowrie Runners, said:“The fun run and walk has always been a great way to celebrate the start of a new year in Blairgowrie and Rattray.

“Restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic meant that we could not responsibly hold the full celebratory event this January 1, but we did want to keep the spirit of the event alive and hopefully come back stronger in 2022.”

The route traditionally starts from Blairgowrie Town Hall turning right on to the High Street, along Perth Street, Perth Road, down Golf Course Road, along Coupar Angus Road and finishing outside Davidson’s Chemist.