Mar 2010 : Moray Summer Challenge Entry Form now available

This year's Moray 5k Summer Challenge event takes place on Sun 13 June 2010 in Cooper Park, Elgin. There will also be a 1.5k Fun Run, which is suitable for juniors and wheelchair users. ( See 'Events' section for entry form).

Feb 2010: Moray Partnership to participate in Coasting Around Britain challenge

Running clubs from Moray are to take the lead in an ambitious and exciting initiative to transport a relay baton around the entire coast of Britain this summer. The concept is being taken forward by Runners' World journal readers and, with the baton setting off from Blackpool in May, it is scheduled to come into Moray in early July. Over the course of several days, it will wind its way from Culbin Forest through to Cullen via Lossiemouth, Garmouth and Buckie. Walkers, joggers and/or runners will be able to take part in various sections of the route through the Moray area, subject to co-ordination with the general plan. More to follow.

Jan 2010 : Public funders give big boost to partnership's ambitions

Thanks to successful funding applications to the Lottery Fund, the 2014 Communites Fund, SportMoray, and the Moray Council - all ably led by our Secretary Kim Paterson - our coffers have swelled significantly in recent months. We are now in the throes of purchasing event infrastructure, such as signs and markers, subsidising jog leader training, running First Aid courses, and supplying first  aid and other safety equipment to local groups. For more information Contact Kim on Tel 01343 563657. 

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Dec 09 : Another successful Moray Winter 5k Challenge takes place

JS Fochabers and Spey Runners pulled off a highly successful 5k Winter Challenge event with 90 participants walking, jogging, or running their way around the historic landscaped grounds of the Gordon Castle Estate (see 'Jog Moray Events' section for results).

Organisers share a joke at the finishing line of the 2009 5k Winter Challenge.

 Dec 09 : Fochabers set to host 5k Winter Challenge

The unique setting of the Gordon Castle Estate is the venue for this year's 5k Winter Challenge hosted by JS Fochabers. This walk, jog, run event is open to anyone over the age of 16. (See EVENTS section for entry form).

Nov 09 : JS Elgin gets off to successful start

The new Elgin group kicked off this month with 22 walkers and joggers turning up for the first session. The group will continue to operate on a 'taster' basis until Christmas, then launch in earnest in the new year (see 'Local Jog Groups' for more info).

Right: Jog Leader Carol Morley briefs some of JS Elgin's new members.

Nov 09 : New wave of Moray Jog Leaders

Thanks to funding from the Moray Health and Social Care Partnership, 18 new jog leaders have been trained up to provide additional and/or expanded jogging services in our area. Secretary for the Walk-Jog-Run in Moray Partnership Kim Paterson said, "This latest round of training puts Moray in an even stronger position to have safe, fun jogging sessions available to a wide range of ages and abilities. This can only be good for community spirit and the physical and mental well-being of those participating". Anyone wishing WJRMP support to be a Jog Leader in 2010 should contact Jog Moray (see Jog Moray section).

Oct 09 : New Elgin jog group launched

JS Moray is delighted to announce that JS Elgin gets launched this month. The first session takes place at 6pm on Thursday 12th November meeting at Elgin Library. For more information, contact Carol Morley on 01343 556596.

Oct 09 : Elgin AAC seek support in bid for for new running track

Elgin Amateur Athletic Club is looking for support with its application for £50k to the 'People's Millions' lottery fund. The new Elgin AAC sports track is one of the projects through in the latest round, which will be voted upon by members of the public during 0900-midnight on Thursday 26 November. Ahead of this, STV cameras will be coming to Morriston to film the case for broadcasting between 1800 and 1830 on the 26th November. Malcolm Christie, who is leading the bid for the AAC, is understandably keen to receive the support of walkers, joggers and runners across Moray. "We want to illustrate just how much Moray needs a new track, so we are looking for as many people as possible to come along at 3.30pm on Friday 13th November. Depending on how it goes, we'll probably have a two-mile walk,jog, run afterwards. Since the track will be used by a wide range of people from across the area, we are hoping for a good turnout to help present a strong case"

(For more info, see our 'Local Running Clubs' section, and also the 'People's Millions' website)

Sept 09; Please click on following for a copy of the new partnership's AGM - Walk, Jog, Run AGM minutes - Sun 13th September 2009

Sept 09: Please click on following for a copy of the new partnership's constitution - Walk, Jog, Run Moray Constitution

Sept 09: Unique 'Walk, Jog, Run in Moray' partnership is constituted

Following the excellent partnership working that has already been established in relation to walking, jogging and running in Moray, it was agreed to create a 'Walk, Jog, Run' partnership in Moray for further development of these opportunities and links.  By constituting into a voluntary, independent body, the partnership will be able to apply for external funding to help with developments across the 3 physical activity strands of walking, jogging and running in relation to the likes of events, insurance, equipment and promotion.    A copy of the constitution and AGM minutes will be uploaded onto this website in due course.  The first steps of the newly constituted body are to open a bank account, affiliate to sportMoray (local sports council), apply for 2014 Communities funding, organise a Jog Scotland Leaders course and plan a Winter Challenge 5k event - so plenty to keep the new partnership busy!

Sept 09: Elgin and Lossiemouth groups coming to you soon

We are in the throes of forming new groups in both Elgin and Lossiemouth and have six new leaders being trained at the beginning of November. Our intentions are to commence the Elgin group in mid November and the Lossie group in the new year. Watch this space!

Sept 09: Ann and Megan savour the Moray 10k

Ann Davidson, National Co-ordinator for Jog Scotland , and Communications Officer Megan Hubbard came up to meet some of Moray's walk-jog-run reps and also take part in the Moray 10k. The girls successfully completed the 10k in a respectable 61 mins. They were both really surprised at the scale of the event and hugely impressed with the jog and run scene in Moray. They were obviously delighted to see a whole host of Jog Scotland T-shirts on display - not only local ones like Buckie, Dufftown and Elgin, but also groups from Aberdeen, Angus and Highland.
Before leaving back to Edinburgh, Ann and Megan said, "We've just loved our trip north.The journey was great, the local scenery is beautiful, the event was brilliantly organised, the course was kinder than we expected, and everyone was really nice to us. We always get inspired when we meet other joggers and runners and the Moray event is no exception. Thanks to everyone who looked after us during our trip - hopefully we'll be back some day".

The pre-race meal - left to right: Frankie Barton, JS Elgin (Council); Ann Davidson, JS; Audrey Benvie, JS Dufftown; Alex Ross, JS Forres; Megan Hubbard, JS; Janice Simpson, JS Buckie; Kim Paterson, Moray Council; Malcolm Christie, Elgin AAC; Clive Streeter, JS Keith. (Photo Nick Brown).

Aug 09: Jog Scotland chief officers to visit Moray

Two of Jog Scotland's chief personnel are to take part in this year's Moray 10k on Sept 13th. Ann Davidson is Co-ordinator of the national umbrella organisation and Megan Hubbard is responsible for its communications. The ladies will be greeted in Elgin by reps from the Walk, Jog, Run in Moray Partnership on Sat 12th for a pasta meal ahead of the race event. The two ladies were persuaded to take part by Nick Brown, spokesperson for JS Moray and Group Leader at Buckie. Nick said, "It's a real coup for us to get Ann and Megan to come and visit us on the 13th, since they have a whole country to choose from! Their decision is vindication of the success of Jog Scotland Moray and we're delighted that they've opted to savour the Moray 10k".
The Moray 10k is part of a festival of running that includes the Moray Marathon and Half Marathon - www.moraymarathon.com - and is one of Scotland's longest established run events.
Ann has done 10k events before, but this will be Megan's first. Megan said, " We're really looking forward to coming up to Moray. It looks like a beautiful area and we expect an enjoyable, albeit possibly painful, experience in Elgin! We've been training for the event, but I'll still be nervous on the day." Megan will likely write up her experience in the Jog Scotland quarterly 'Stride' magazine.

Jul 09: Jog Scotland Moray in search of new leaders in Elgin and Lossiemouth

Are you someone who can help people jog their way to a healthier lifestyle?

Jog Scotland Moray is currently on the lookout for new leaders to help set up and run groups in Elgin and Lossiemouth. Despite the success of Jog Scotland Moray in the past two years, there are conspicuous gaps in Elgin and Lossiemouth that the local jogging organisation is keen to fill.

Jog Scotland is the national 'umbrella network' body that supports local groups such as those in Moray. There are currently Jog Scotland groups in Aberlour, Buckie, Dufftown, Fochabers and Keith, following a successful pilot scheme in Forres. Some of the groups have developed from humble beginnings to substantial groups with 100 plus members. JS Moray is also supported locally by NHS Grampian, the Moray Council and Sports Moray. Along with Walk Moray and established athletic clubs, JS Moray is part of the recently formed ‘Walk, Jog, Run in Moray’ Partnership.

JS Moray spokesman, Dr Nick Brown said, “We already have a good going Council Workplace group in Elgin led by Frankie Barton, and we used to have a RAF based group in Lossiemouth, but we are keen to have more widely accessible groups in these towns. There are now around 400 Jog Scotland groups throughout the country and, whilst all of them conform to certain principles, they operate differently and each has its own style, depending on local circumstances. We in Moray have taken a co-operative stance where we all work collectively for mutual benefit and we are keen to establish full coverage across the area with jog groups in every main town.”

The emphasis of Jog Scotland is upon running in groups for social and health benefit, rather than for competition. Groups of up to 15 people are guided around selected routes by qualified jog leaders, and since all abilities from walk-jog up to decent runner are catered for, each local group requires a range of jog leaders. The main skills and qualities necessary to become a jog leader are: enthusiasm for jogging; a desire to help people meet their goals; a strong respect for people’s safety; a willingness to abide by set guidelines; and common sense. All jog leaders are required to go through a Jog Scotland training course.

Nick explained that, “Although being a Jog Leader implies commitment and responsibility, it is a very rewarding role that few will regret doing. As well as ensuring your own regular participation in weekly exercise, you can get a real kick out of watching the personal transformation that many members go through. Jog Scotland has a steady stream of wonderful stories from members whose lives have been greatly enhanced by regular jogging".

If you are interested in being involved with Jog Scotland Elgin or Lossiemouth groups, please contact JS Moray on 01542 842847 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

June 09: Moray 5k Challenge Results

Now available in our Jog Moray Events section

June 09: "It's brilliant!"

So says Jog Scotland's Communcations Officer Megan Hubbard after browsing our new website. For more info, see Jog Scotland's News, Local Groups, and Blog Sections.

Elite K&D runner Frankie Barton and JS Moray rep Nick Brown with web designer Lisa Taylor at the launch of the new website.

May 09: Partnership website formally launched

• P&J 27th May 2009
• "Unique Outdoor Exercise Partnership Launches Website". Jog Scotland 25th May 2009