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Slow Marathon planned for River Deveron

Huntly will again be hosting a slow marathon, a 26 mile walk along the River Deveron in April.

River Deveron near Huntly

River Deveron near Huntly


The organisers, Deveron Arts, say that a slow marathon celebrates the human pace. It is both an endurance event, attracting walkers from all walks of life, and a poetic act, bringing art and walking together. The Huntly event is now an annual event, originating in 2012 when the first Slow Marathon was planned by Ethiopian artist Mihret Kebede.

Slow Marathon 2016 is a 26 mile/42 km along the River Deveron walking against the flow to Huntly. The route is inspired by artist Anne Murray and musician Jake Williams through the With and Against the Flow project.

Organisers say, “Rivers have always proved to be magnets for people, particularly walkers using banks as a resting point or place of reflection. Rivers cross borders and shape cultural landscapes, fulfilling a special role in tradition, history and art. Nowhere else is the species’ richness as large as on the waterfront, with rivers being carriers of myths and legends. Lifelines for people and nature: rivers and their natural floodplains provide diverse habitats for many plant and animal species and are centres of biodiversity. Through trade and transport routes, rivers have always allowed access to the outside world. We use them for industrial production, for electricity generation, for cleansing and for leisure. As such, they are often regulated, straightened and dammed. Excessive use of rivers has endangered their operation, seen in recent times in our and other parts of the world.”

There will be a discussion on rivers on Sunday 17 April which will reflect human use of water, and the shaping of landscape and culture for walkers and others.

The programme for the weekend event is below and further details and prices can be found on the Deveron Arts website.
Fri 15 April, 7pm: Gordon Arms Hotel, The Square, Huntly: registration and explanation of route
Sat 16 April, 6.45am: meet Huntly Square – bus ride to start of walk
Sun 17 April, 11am: Pathmakers’ Gathering

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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.