Sporting events to look forward to in 2020
10 December 2019
On Sunday evening all eyes will be on Aberdeen with BBC Sports Personality of the Year taking place at the P&J Live arena. And while Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan look back over a remarkable 12 months of sport, I’m looking forward to the exciting, adrenaline filled and inspiring sports events that are to come in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in 2020:
1. BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019
Tickets for this year's event may have sold out in a flash (five minutes to be precise) but you can tune in to BBC One at 7pm this Sunday to catch the action live.
2. Ben Fogle Tales from the Wilderness: Saturday 1 February
From climbing Everest to walking to the South Pole and rowing across the Atlantic to saving elephants, prepare for goosebumps as Ben Fogle takes to the Music Hall stage to explore his inspiring escapades from around the world.
3. Unibet Premier League Darts: Thursday 6 February
Fans of darts will be pleased to know that they won’t have to wait long until the Premier League comes to the P&J Live arena in February!
4. Aberdeen Links Pro-Am: Wednesday April 29 to Friday May 1
After its successful inaugural year, the Aberdeen Golf Links Pro-Am returns to put golfers to the test on three prestigious golf courses. The three-day event taking place at Royal Aberdeen, Trump International Links and Cruden Bay Golf Club will challenge golfers to make the top three and share a prize worth £40,000.
5. Scottish Senior Men’s Open Championship: Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 June
Senior golfers take to Duff House Royal to compete for the championship trophy under the eyes of the majestic Duff House. Golf enthusiasts will be interested to know that this course was designed by renowned golf designer Alister MacKenzie who also designed the home of The Masters, Augusta National.
6. Ride the North – August
2020 marks the 10th year of the Ride the North challenge that celebrates the love of cycling through a route that encompasses the beauty of Aberdeenshire. Following a route that starts and ends at historic Castle Fraser, the circuit takes cyclists through stunning countryside and along glimmering coastline.
7. Traditional Highland Games: Throughout the summer months
Across summer, expect the sound of bagpipes and a sea of tartan as many traditional Highland Games take place across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. In August, strongmen from far and wide attend the Ballater Highland Games to compete in hammer throws and toss cabers (weighing up to 56kg!) and then there’s The Braemar Gathering, attended by members of the Royal Family since starting in 1832.
8. Room to Run: Saturday 5 September
On your marks, get set, GO! Room to Run returns to challenge runners with its half marathon circuit along with 10k, 5k and fun-run trails. As runners cross the finish line, they’ll be met with The Huntly Hairst Food Festival lined with local food and drinks producers offering a perfect refuel.
9. Tour of Britain: Sunday 13 September
The UK’s biggest bike race comes to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire bringing hundreds of cyclists eager to complete the eighth and final phase of the week-long challenge. The cyclist to complete the course in the quickest time will be crowned champion in Aberdeen following a day racing across the region.
10. Beast Race: Saturday 26 September
War paint, check. Camouflage, check. Mud, double check. It can only mean one thing, the Banchory Beast Race is back. Challenge yourself with this adrenaline filled obstacle course packed with over 25 obstacles to tackle, that involve scaling tower walls, army crawls through mud swamps and submersion in freezing water pools.
And it doesn’t end there, find out what else is waiting for you in North-east Scotland by visiting the sports page with plenty of inspiration to add to your next visit to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.