Running and jumping competitions have been held in and around Braemar for hundreds of years, since the days when King Malcolm Canmore and later the Clan Chiefs needed to find the fleetest of their clansmen to send orders and bring news.

Convener: Joss McGregor, Braemar Royal Highland Charity, Director

In the modern era, these ‘light’ events are a key part of the Braemar Gathering tradition. There are handicapped and scratch sprints and middle distance races, as well as long, high and triple jump events.

Prize money of £3,000 is on offer for the 10 Open competitions, and £950 for the 8 Youth events. There are also various trophies and medals to be awarded, and races for the local children, including the much-enjoyed sack races, which are also open to Braemar Gathering visitors.

The premier event in the Open programme is the 80 metres scratch British Championship. The current record of 8.41 seconds was set in 2010 by Nick Smith — a member of Team GB Athens 2004 Olympic sprint squad and arguably the finest ever Scottish sprinter.

The 1/2 mile record of 1 minute 58.12 seconds was set on the grass track in 1990 by Scottish International Tom Ritchie.

The 1 mile record of 4 minutes 46.07 seconds was set in 2022 by Finlay Murray from Glasgow.

The Youth events programme is for 10 to U16 year olds, and was established in 2015 to encourage youth participation and develop future champions — maintaining the strong light events tradition at the Gathering. There are trophies for both male or female champions in these Youth categories.

For more information see links to Track Events programme and pre-entry Forms. Contact Joss McGregor: joss@brhcharity.org