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A Q&A with Chapelton’s running group

Running is one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise, not only does it benefit your physical health but also your mental health too, helping to release endorphins and improve your cardiovascular fitness. 

Joining a running club is a great way to socialise with like-minded people who share a common interest. Getting outside and running alongside others can be a great mood lifter and give you a much needed energy boost.

In this blog post we caught up with the founder of Chapelton Running Group, Ann Gallon to find out more about the group, her motivation behind starting it and how you can get involved…

unnamed-6-1024x768 A Q&A with Chapelton's running group

Can you tell us a bit about the Chapelton Running Group?

“We meet every Wednesday at 6.30pm at Hume Square in Chapelton. I like to think we are inclusive for all abilities and each session or group run is tailored to suit most. We are a friendly bunch and always looking to welcome new members to come along and join. 

“Some weeks we do sessions focusing on targeted areas such as speed, hill or pyramids and during the warm summer evenings we often go for group runs. There are some beautiful routes around Chapelton with nice trails and the odd hill. It is a really lovely way to discover Chapelton and gives you a great feel for the surrounding area. 

“In the past our group has been involved in a number of events including treasure hunts and 5K races.” 

How long has the running group been going for?

“The group was created in July 2018, as this was when I created the Facebook Page, it’s amazing to see how much it has grown since day one.”

What was the motivation behind starting the running group and how did it get started?

“When I started running in the area I met so many other runners and after seeing the turn out for the first Chapelton 10K and the overall success of the event, I decided to start a local group.

“It’s a fantastic way for those from the local community to socialise while doing something they love. Particularly if you are having a stressful day, there is no better feeling than being able to go outdoors and take your mind off things.”

How can others from the community or outside Chapelton get involved?

“If you are interested in coming along to one of our sessions or would like to find out more, you can private message me on Facebook or join the Chapelton Running Group Facebook page.

“I usually post on the Facebook page prior to the meet up, indicating what type of session it will be. If it seems like something you would like to get involved in you can turn up at 6:30pm on Wednesday.

“We love to welcome new runners, so come along and join in!” 

unnamed-4 A Q&A with Chapelton's running group

Is the running group open to all abilities, ages, gender etc?

“Definitely, everyone is welcome! Our sessions can be adapted to suit all and there is also no pressure to complete a full session.”

What do you love most about the running group?

“I have made great friends over the last 4 years. We have a fantastic group of people of all different abilities and coming together each week has created an amazing sense of community. We all enjoy a good social run with plenty of chat.”

unnamed-5-1024x768 A Q&A with Chapelton's running group

Do you have specific goals that you work towards as a group or is it on an individual level?

“Everyone has their own goal that they would like to achieve, it is all down to personal preference. Some of our members are racing fanatics who enjoy competing in races while others don’t race at all. There is never any pressure on anyone to reach a certain level.

“For those that enter races of similar lengths, it is nice to have the opportunity to run at the weekends. It can help people to stay motivated towards achieving their goal and preparing for any of their upcoming races.”

Do you have any exciting upcoming events or projects?

“The Chapelton 10k is not too far away on Sunday 17th July! There is still plenty of time to train so if anyone wants to join us with the intention of doing the race, I am always happy to assist as much as I can.”

If you are interested in getting involved in the Chapelton Running Group, please click here and why not try out our 10-week training plan for the Chapelton 10K?

Chapelton of Elsick 10K running tips – 10 weeks to go!

The Chapelton of Elsick 10K returns to the town on 17 July, 2022. The race follows an undulating multi terrain trail through the picturesque Elsick House estate, setting off and finishing in the charming village of Chapelton, near Stonehaven.

Whether you’re an avid runner looking to hit a new PB or a complete novice, we’ve put together some top tips for those looking to take up the 10K challenge this summer.

10k_044-1024x683 Chapelton of Elsick 10K running tips - 10 weeks to go!

10 weeks to go…

If you are new to running or haven’t completed a longer distance run before, ease yourself in with a couple of shorter runs (around 2km) or aim to run at a comfortable pace for around 20 minutes. Try to run for a minute longer on each run in the first week to challenge yourself.

For those that are more comfortable with running and just need some motivation to get going, aim to run 2-3 times a week at a comfortable pace for 30 minutes or roughly 2.5-3km.

7 weeks to go…

At this point, it’s a good idea to introduce a strength workout to supplement your three weekly runs. Aim to run for a minimum of 35 minutes and where possible try to include some small inclines into your practice.

5 weeks to go…

Now is the time to up your training schedule and aim to add an additional running day, taking you to four runs per week and running for 40-50 minutes (around 7km) each time. Include one or two strength training sessions per week and a lunch or evening walk a few times each week too.

10k_024-1024x672 Chapelton of Elsick 10K running tips - 10 weeks to go!

2 weeks to go…

This is the final week to up your distance before the race, aim to set out for two to three 6K runs and one longer 9K run on top of your strength sessions and walking.

1 week to go…

Take it easy this week as you don’t want to sap all your energy! Aim to complete two shorter (3-4km) runs on Monday and Thursday, a stretch session on Tuesday and Thursday and completely rest on Friday and Saturday before the race on Sunday.

 The day before/on the day…

Fuel up on carbohydrates and drink plenty of water the night before and the morning of the race. Whatever you do, don’t stress, take it easy and try to stick to a comfortable even pace throughout.   

Other important things to consider:

  • Hydration, hydration, hydration – with your increase in activity, make sure you’re drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated
  • Walk and take the stairs wherever and whenever you can to keep your body moving in the weeks leading up to the race
  • Think about your nutrition, adding more protein to your diet and limiting alcohol
  • Stretch – a simple stretch before you set off is recommended to warm up your body and factoring in time to properly stretch off post-run will not only ease your muscles, it can prevent injury and release stress and tension
  • Make sure you include one full rest day each week where you do no exercise and instead focus on recovery
10k_081-1024x683 Chapelton of Elsick 10K running tips - 10 weeks to go!

Why not try out one of the free 5K Park Runs in the lead-up to the race? Find your nearest Park Run here.

There’s still time to sign up to take part in the Chapelton of Elsick 10K on 17 July, register here. 

News from The Boxes @ Chapelton

It’s full steam ahead at The Boxes @ Chapelton. There is a real buzz in the air, with plenty of friendly faces, and furry friends, stopping by for a browse or to pick up some goodies.

Here’s your update on news from The Boxes @ Chapelton.

Wander & Graze

This spring, make sure you keep your eyes peeled on Wander & Graze. Our favourite deli store has announced they are looking to take part in some exciting collaborations over the next few months, as well as launching their new spring menu.

The business has also announced that they are introducing Mother’s Day Cheese and Charcuterie boxes, available to order now. A large sharing box is priced at £36, and small boxes at £20. And they look delicious!

Fits the Scoop

Did you know that Fits the Scoop is now open seven days a week? As well as being open throughout the week, the business has also partnered with ‘Prep on the Kerb’ to offer delicious brunch and lunch items.

fits-the-scoopsw-1024x535 News from The Boxes @ Chapelton

The Omnia

The Omnia has got you sorted this Mother’s Day. From beautiful cards to stunning gifts – it’s the perfect place to pick up a special gift for your mum this year. And if you want to learn more about the business and its owners, read our International Women’s Day post here.

Clementine

Clementine of Chapelton continue to serve delicious locally sourced fruit, veg and soup. And who can forget those Wee Cook Pies… They’ve recently announced a slight change to their opening hours – they’ll be opening now at 10am on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

clementine News from The Boxes @ Chapelton

RedRocks

We have an award winner in our midst – a big congratulations to RedRocks who won Jeweller of the Year at the Top Tier Awards at the end of February. RedRocks is open Tuesday – Sunday each week.

Paul Hosie PT

Get fit for summer and join in with some of Paul Hosie PT’s new classes. Choose from a range of options suited to all levels of fitness and ability.

Paper Houses Design

A big congratulations to Mhairi at Paper Houses Design as she welcomed a lovely new born at the start of the year. Mhairi will be re-opening Paper Houses Design at the Boxes at Chapelton in April, so make sure you pay a visit for some stylish home furnishings and accessories.

paper-houses-design News from The Boxes @ Chapelton

Mr Dun

Look your best this weekend! Mr Dun has extended its opening hours this year. The barber’s will be open from 10am-6pm Tuesday – Friday, and 9am-5pm each Saturday.

The Cupcake Stop

The Cupcake Stop continues to sell mouth-watering treats and bakes for you and the family to enjoy. Pop in for some delicious bakes!

Pop-ups

This spring, there’s some really exciting pop-ups at The Boxes @ Chapelton. This week the Bob Tree is taking residence, selling original homemade local and Scottish inspired art. Seeing out March will be AB Wellness & Reflexology, so make sure to get down so you don’t miss out.

To keep up to date with all of the latest announcements, follow us on Facebook at The Boxes at Chapelton.

What’s happening in Chapelton in 2022

We have lined up an exciting calendar of events for 2022, welcoming new and familiar faces to our growing community.

Building on previous popular events, the calendar will be kicking off with a film night at Slate & Grain restaurant on Sunday 13 February, and continues through to November when our festive farmers’ market will take place.

You can choose from a bike workshop (February), Easter egg hunt (April), the annual Chapelton 10K (July) and comedy night (August), to name but a few.

The Chapelton 2022 events calendar includes:

  • Film Night at Slate & Grain, 13 February
  • Bike Workshop with Trinity Frameworks, 27 February
  • Easter Fun, 10 April
  • Farmers Markets, 15 May, 24 July, 18 September, 20 November
  • Chapelton of Elsick 10K, 17 July
  • Chapelton Scarecrow Festival, 1-31 August
  • Gala Day and Comedy Night,  20 August
  • Chapelton Bike Ride, 4 September

For more information on new homes available at Chapelton, visit our new homes page and don’t forget to keep up to date with what’s happening by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Get Ready for Chapelton’s First Gala Day

Our very first gala is set to take place on Saturday 14 August and we welcome families to enjoy a fun-filled day of children’s activities, music, food and drink.

In partnership with Grampian Autistic Society, a local charity which provides support to all ages of people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), the Gala will be hosted in Burgess Park from 10am – 4pm. A follow-on Comedy Night will also take place that evening in partnership with Rockhopper Comedy, with tickets available shortly.

Children can look forward to plenty of activities including a ‘build your own bear’ workshop, bouncy castles and face painting. Live flyball demonstrations will take place with dogs from local clubs Scratch Squad and Findon. A selection of hot food vendors and stallholders will be in attendance on the day alongside Mearns FM who will be providing the music.

Billy Alexander, CEO of Grampian Autistic Society, said: “We are delighted to be working with Chapelton for the town’s first gala day and comedy night, both of which will be raising funds for our charity and going a long way to help the families we support.”

The Duchess of Fife, Director of Elsick Development Company which is leading the build of Chapelton, also said: “We see galas happening as an annual tradition in many towns across Scotland and with the Chapelton community quickly growing we think this is the ideal time to introduce one here.

“This family-friendly event will be packed with plenty of entertainment and activities that we’re sure all ages will enjoy. And in the evening, adults can head along to the Comedy Night which will continue to raise much needed proceeds for Grampian Autistic Society.” 

Children under two years can attend the Chapelton Gala free of charge, while children aged between two and 15 years are ticketed at £2.50 and adults at £5. Family tickets, which admit two adults and four children aged under 16 years, can also be purchased for a cost of £15. Find out more about the event and book your tickets.

Virtual Relay Race Raises Thousands for Local Charities

The latest sporting event at Chapelton, a virtual baton passing relay, has been a huge success, raising over £3K for local charities and groups that usually benefit from the town’s ‘Chapelton of Elsick 10k’ run.

A group of 39 runners covered almost 540km (334 miles) over 48 hours between them, with each running for either one or two hour slots before passing the virtual Chapelton baton. The run took place from 6pm on Friday 9 July to 6pm on Sunday 11 July, meaning that a number of runners had to pace themselves during the night.

Charity-Run_23-1024x683 Virtual Relay Race Raises Thousands for Local Charities

The 1st and 39th runners finished at The Hut in Chapelton which would have been the start and finish of the annual Chapelton of Elsick 10k event. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled this year and last due to COVID-19 restrictions however we hope that the 2022 installment can go ahead.

Rachel Rollo, who is leading the build of Chapelton was one of the 39 runners. She said:

“This is the second year that we’ve turned the event into a hugely successful virtual baton passing relay and we’re so glad to have raised much needed funds once again for Pillar Kincardine and Portlethen Community Ambulance. We even had one runner who, due to the need to self-isolate, completed multiple laps of her driveway, adding almost 9km to the total distance covered.

“We’re extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the event,the spectators who cheered us on and of course those who donated.”

Charity-Run_10-1024x683 Virtual Relay Race Raises Thousands for Local Charities

The relay race and Chapelton of Elsick 10km are part of a calendar of events that take place throughout the year here.

Chapelton has now grown to over 200 households, with builders AJC Homes, Stephen, Places for People, Snowdrop Developments and Brio Retirement Living offering a wide mix of properties to suit all needs and budgets. Find new homes for sale here.

Get ready for Chapelton’s Summer Farmers’ Market

This weekend, Sunday 18 July, we are hosting the summer edition of our popular farmers’ market, offering visitors the chance to stock up for BBQs, picnics, family gatherings and much more.

The market will take place as usual in Burgess Park and will boast an array of stalls offering fresh and local produce from across the North East.

Photo-18-07-2020-12-40-09-1-1024x684 Get ready for Chapelton’s Summer Farmers’ Market
Photo-18-07-2020-11-28-37-Copy-1-1024x684 Get ready for Chapelton’s Summer Farmers’ Market
107463985_1560163744154560_3566865716185312585_n Get ready for Chapelton’s Summer Farmers’ Market

We are excited to welcome back many returning stallholders, as well as welcome some new additions, such as The Vintage Koffiecabine, who will be making fresh pancakes and Morningdog coffee. Also look out for local charity CLAN Cancer Support who will be providing parking assistance to help raise much needed funds for the fantastic work they do.

The market will be open from 11am – 2:30pm on Sunday 18 July, with all stallholders and visitors adhering to current physical distancing regulations. Entry to the market and parking is free of charge.

Six of the Best Outdoor Spring Activities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

During the past year it has been a tough challenge trying to keep the entire family entertained indoors. But with the sun starting to shine and restrictions beginning to ease, brush the cobwebs off your walking boots and start planning your weekend activities.  

Step into spring with these local activities that will be sure to burn off excess energy, while sticking to both a budget and level 3 Scottish Government Guidelines.

Dunnottar Castle

Less than a 20-minute drive from Chapelton, the cliffs at Dunnottar Castle offer one of Scotland’s most truly dramatic and beautiful views. Steeped in history and with plenty of local beaches to explore, Dunnottar Castle is great way to get the kids excited about a day out of the house.

Aberdeen Spy Mission Treasure Trail

Discover Aberdeen like you have never seen before on a self-guided Spy Mission treasure trail! Get your magnifying glass out and solve tricky clues set on existing buildings and monuments to crack a code and complete the mission! A must-do for families, you can get out and about exploring Aberdeen for just £10.

Chapelton Trail

Did you know that we have our very own trail around Chapelton? You can follow a one hour marked walk through diverse scenery and wildlife habitats. The Chapelton trail has been used by many over lockdown as people use the area to exercise and socialise. You can download our Chapelton trail map here.

trail Six of the Best Outdoor Spring Activities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Dolphin spotting

You don’t need to venture abroad to Spain or Australia to spot dolphins…you can find them right here in Aberdeen. Visit Aberdeen Harbour to see urban dolphins jumping out of the water. You might even be able to spot sunbathing seals at Newburgh Beach if you make the trip.

Crathes Castle

We’ve got good news for history buffs as the beautiful Crathes Castle is due to re-open on 30 April. Explore the wonderful 16th-century castle with its intricate towers and turrets.

Crathes Castle is the perfect location for a family day out – take a stroll through the idyllic walled gardens and spot wildlife such as deer, red squirrels, and woodpeckers…it’ll be a day to remember! For opening times and entry prices, check the National Trust for Scotland website first.

Chapelton Farmers’ Market

You don’t have to venture far from home to enjoy a day out! Come along to our first Farmers’ Market of the year on Sunday 23rd May. Hosted outdoors in Burgess Park, the event boasts over 25 stalls with a range of produce and items from local suppliers as well as hot food to take away.

The farmers’ market is open 11am-2:30pm.

Highland Coos!

Why not pay a visit to the wonderful herd of Highland cattle that graze in the grounds of Meldrum House? Whilst the house is closed to the public, visitors can visit the grounds and wave hello to the coos! Remember not to touch them or get too close – they’re not as cuddly as they might look!

cow-1024x683 Six of the Best Outdoor Spring Activities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Whatever the weather, there are plenty of places to visit over summer as lockdown restrictions ease in Scotland. Why not visit our Facebook page and tell us your favourite local trip?

Looking to move home this summer?

If you are looking for a new build home for sale near Aberdeen, Chapelton community offers stylish houses on the outskirts of the city. View our homes for sale.

Festive Farmers’ Market

The final Chapelton farmers’ market of the year is soon to take place with the aim of bringing some festive cheer to the North East.

Cocoa-Ooze-Festive-Market-RR-FOCUS-1024x683 Festive Farmers' Market

Taking place on Sunday 22nd November from 11am – 2:30pm in Burgess Park, you’re welcome to browse a range of stalls offering a variety of food and drink and items that are perfect for hosting or gifting this Christmas.

Physical distancing and increased hygiene measures will be in place during the event to comply with COVID-19 restrictions and contactless card payment available at most stalls.

All-About-Lemons-Festive-Market-RR-FOCUS-1024x658 Festive Farmers' Market

Some of the stallholders that will be at the festive farmers’ market include:

  • A Portuguesa
  • Ace Kombucha
  • All About Lemons
  • Bannerman Butcher
  • Breer Pie Co.
  • Cambus O May Cheese
  • Cocoa Ooze
  • Cove Honey Bees
  • Crafty Pickle Co.
  • Culter Perennials
  • Fits The Scoop
  • Fournos
  • Granite City Fish
  • Haydn’s Woodfired Pizza
  • Letty’s Pure Fruit Vinegars
  • Ledmacoy Turkeys
  • Louise’s Farm Kitchen
  • Pitscandly Farm Venison
  • Sealscroock Farmcrafted Skincare
  • Singularity Sauce
  • Squad Snoods
  • The Bread Guy
  • The Cupcake Stop
  • The Pet Stop
  • Orchid Aberdeen

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