New race all set to mark Jubilee year
Trail run planned for Blackford
Plans are in place to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an energetic addition to the Blackford Highland Games programme.
A new trail race has been added to the list of events set to entertain locals and visitors alike when Games Day takes place in the village’s Recreation Park on Saturday, May 28.
Runners have been invited to enter one of two race distances – stretching for either five kilometres or 6.5km.
Initial plans for the event were agreed recently and the finer details are set to be announced as the build-up to what will be the 150th Highland Games in Blackford intensifies.
Committee secretary David Robertson said: “We are organising a trail race to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“This will be a first for Blackford and organising is well under way.
“The race starts and ends in the arena and no preregistration is required.
“It will be called the Platinum Jubilee Trail Race and the route will take competitors around the countryside of Blackford.
“Two route lengths are being planned.”
The most re c e n t announcement comes hot on the heels of the committee behind the event announcing that Morrison’s Academy rector Andrew
McGarva will be performing the ceremonial honours as chieftain for the day when the Games makes its return to the village after an enforced two-year break as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.
Excitement is also building as solo piping is due to make its return to Blackford after an absence of 83 years.
Two of the classes will be judged by special guest Roddy MacLeod MBE – a well-known figure in piping circles.
Blackford Highland Games committee president Stuart Laing said: “Blackford is a national event hosted by
the village and we are very proud of both our local roots and international outlook.
“Competitors and visitors arrive from all over the world to enjoy our games.”
To enter the new Platinum Jubilee Trail Race, email committee member Jonny Weir on jonnyweir@hotmail. com.
For more information on any of the other events on the day, see the Blackford Highland Games website or Facebook page.
Alternatively, email secretary@ blackfordhighlandgames. co.uk.