Saturday 8th November 2025
Thanks to everyone for making the final SHR counter into a great event by turning up to race at Morven on Saturday! Rescheduling the race for November felt like high risk, so it was a big relief that the weather turned out fine. There were near perfect racing conditions on the hill, albeit lacking a few of the better views than normal, and that was reflected by a new course record for Matt Knowles of Carnethy, taking the win in 43:01. Congratulations also to Elena Heger, Shettleston, who crossed the line first to take the ladies win in 55:08. The junior races were toughly contested too and this is something that we would love to grow further in future years. Parents & juniors spread the word with your friends.
Thanks to those that sponsored race prizes – Franklin & Brodie honey, Cambus o’ May dairy, Twisted Ankle brewery & Braemar brewery.
It was great to get a chance to showcase Morven as the great wee hill race that it is & we hope that lots of you will want to come back again next year. We’re looking at some options for how to make it even better, possibly changing the date amongst other things – watch this space !
There may be entry on the day subject to available space
We will operate separate race start times for male and female competitors to reduce congestion and allow for fair races. Female start 13:00, Male start 13:20, Half Morven 13:00, Mini Morven 13:25.
Third and final race of the Aberdeenshire Hillrace Series.
The Scottish Hill Runner Championship Awards and Ceilidh will be held after the Morven Hill Race from 7pm at Victoria Hall in Ballater and there is camping available at Ballater Caravan Park. If you’d now like to come along and join in the Ceilidh fun (you don’t have to do the race to come and have a hoolie) tickets are £5 for SHR members and £10 for non-members which you need to pay for in advance by bank transfer to: Account Name: Scottish Hill Runners, Sort Code : 16-00-01, Acc No: 30287093
Please then email alpringle68@gmail.com confirming payment and the name(s) of those you have paid for and if they would like pulled pork or jackfruit. Ticket price includes pulled pork or pulled jackfruit rolls which will be served up by Louise’s Farm Kitchen at about 9pm, so make sure you’ve eaten enough to see you through till then. It’s BYOB so please do bring along your beverage(s) of choice for the evening.
Start Location and Route
Groddie, By Dinnet, Aboyne. Grid Ref NJ410044
The routes will be marked and runners are expected to follow the marked route.
The full Morven Hill Race (8.8km, 660m climb) starts on the walker’s access path by the roadside (1) and takes a direct route up Morven above the ruined cottage of Balhennie (2). It follows good tracks all the way to the top (4) and will be marked. On the descent the route forks right (5) to the bealach below Roar Hill (6, Grid ref NJ395033) and then NE back towards Balhennie and the finish (7, 1).
The Half Morven Race (4.0km, 400m climb) is open to Senior age groups as well as Juniors (U18 & U16). The race follows the full Morven route as far as the first plateau (1, 2, 3) before cutting left to rejoin the descent route for the full race (6, 7, 1).
The Mini Morven Race (1.8km, 125m climb) is for U14 and U12 only. It follows an out and back route as far as the lone tree on the full race descent route (1, 2, 7, 2, 1).
Contact
Race Organiser – Sarah Dunn, Glamorous Assistant – Jim Savege
dessdunn@gmail.com
Race Rules and Safety
The Morven hill race is insured through Scottish Hill Runners, and run under Scottish Hill Runners rules.
Juniors U17 on 31st Dec are not allowed to enter the full Morven Hill Race
All runners in the full Morven race are required to carry the following:
- full waterproof body cover (taped seams)
- hat (buff acceptable)
- gloves
- map and compass (a paper map is required, phone or GPX is not an acceptable alternative)
NOTE:- DOGS must be kept on a lead in the finish / assembly area only – no dogs on the hill as there are sheep in the area.
Prizes
Prize giving and award of trophies, including the Aberdeenshire Hillrace Series winners, is expected to take place at around 3pm.
Results
2025 Results
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
Race Records
Male: Matt Knowles, 43:01, 2025
Female: Angela Mudge, 49:47, 2006