March 11 2026
Promoting Athletics in Orkney
COMPETITIONS & RUNS
Upcoming Events
| Shapinsay 10k | April 18, 2026 | READ MORE |
| Starlings Open Graded Track & Field Competition | April 26, 2026 | READ MORE |
BLOG
Latest News
OARC AGM set for Monday 16th March
February 18 2026
VIEW OUR LATEST UPDATES
Find us on Facebook
We are on Facebook
data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/oarcapr26/event/
Pools and heats allocations are now up on Open Track for the Starlings Open Graded this Sunday 26th. Please do check your allocations and get in touch if you have any issues or concerns. An email to all athletes will follow tomorrow with the guidelines for the competition and a final timetable.
Please note that in order to see Field pools and times, you need to click on e.g. High Jump on this page, and you'll then be able to see that the second pool starts at 12:00 and the third at 13:15, as well as who is in each pool.
There is a bug with the shot put weights for the u12 category - rest assured we will not be asking you to throw adult weights!
RUN JUMP THROW NEW TERM
For anyone aged 5-12 either wanting to join OARC in future or already part of our primary section and wanting to do a little more, The Pickaquoy Centre have Run, Jump, Throw: an introductory athletics programme for children ages 5 to 12 to give them an opportunity to participate in athletics activity. This is not run by OARC, but it is a good way to get involved.
A new term starts next week and Pickyhave spaces available in their Junior Athletics (p5+) group in particular: The sessions take place on Thursdays 1800-1900. They also have a p3-4 Run Jump Throw class on Mondays 1600-1700 & Thursdays 1700-1800.
Anyone interested can book through Picky reception or on 01856 879900. They can also contact courses@pickaquoy.com for more information.
SHAPINSAY 10K 2026 - with bonus Flat 'n' Fast 2026
50 runners completed the second OARC Shapinsay 10k today, braving some windy conditions on the course to get the Orkney road running season off to a flying start. They were led from the start by Magnus Harrold, whose fast start was perhaps intended as a challenge to the newly installed 20mph sign by the start line! Magnus completed the up and down course in 38 minutes and 52 seconds, just over two minutes ahead of second placed Willie Gibson who was the first veteran male.
Vikki Budge (45:07) was the winner of the women’s race, finishing sixth overall whilst Eildih Christie (49:49) was the first veteran female, just ahead of the first Shapinsay resident finisher Chris Moore (49:53). Lisa Bady was the first Shapinsay female finisher in 61:10. Also among the podium finishers was Magnus’ sister - and fellow Island Games participant - Rebecca Learmonth (48:06 and second female). Further back in the field, it was fantastic to see so many finishers on a tricky day with an uphill first half followed by the return downhill into a strong headwind - with many first time finishers, Ian MacDonald (71:43) setting what I’m fairly sure is the inaugural V80 10k record for Orkney and Peter & Donna Stevenson celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary by running together: congratulations to you both!
It’s always a lovely day out on Shapinsay and thank you to all the families and friends who came out to cheer the athletes on, as well as the Shapinsay residents for their hospitality. Thank you to all the volunteers: Joel, Esther, Arella, Elza (and Micah!) Chaney, Alison Meason, Alan Strong, Alison McDougall, Charles Hay, Claire Cruddas, Elodie Bady, Karen Evans, Leanne Bews, Mandy Hay, Matthew Mellor, Paul Evans, Sarah Finn, Katie Hall, Chloe Crawford, Emma Hendrick and anyone else who helped out on the day or baked. Thanks to everyone for their generous donations towards the Shapinsay Medical Fund.
Prizes for the winners were kindly donated by Shapinsay Development Trust (The Smithy), Orkney Isles Preserves and Thomas Sinclair Shop.
Bespoke medals for age group winners were designed and 3D printed in Shapinsay with thanks to Tern360.
I have a lot of pictures which I’ll get in an album shortly. Full results are also attached.
Meanwhile on a slightly kinder course down on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Ava Luke and Chelsea Cook both flew round the Flat 'n' Fast 5k in sub-18 minute PBs - Ava a PB of 17:55 and Chelsea 17:59. Congratulations to both of you!
It was a well run race. Thanks for all your efforts and volunteers!
Well done Hamish and Rosemary, good going!
A huge well done to everyone 🥳🥂🤩😎
Thanks for a great run 😀
Great Run,Tim!
Entries are now open for the Kirkwall 10k, which will take place on Sunday 3rd May. Entries by next Sunday 26th April please. £6 members, £11 non-members with a £3 discount for SA members.
Course map at www.orkneyarc.org.uk/road-race-course-maps/ - the race starts and finishes on the track at Picky.
www.entrycentral.com/kirkwall10k for entries
www.entrycentral.com
OARC Kirkwall 10K Event Sunday 3rd May 2026 - 10:00 am Starting point and registration: The Pickaquoy center , Muddisdale road, Kirkwall KW15 1LR The Kirkwall 10K will be run over a route made up of l...Jack Leitch
Volunteer Officials Needed for Starlings Open Graded
We are busy making arrangements behind the scenes to host the first home competition of the season, on Sunday 26th April. Unfortunately it's looking like we are short of volunteer officials. It takes about 35 officials to successfully run a home competition, giving our athletes the best possible experience on the day.
Can you help? You don't need to have officiated before; you will be
fully supported on the day by our fabulous officiating team and you won't be given duties you are not comfortable with - there is a role for everyone. It's a great day and a fantastic opportunity to see our athletes in action, close up!
Please contact our officials coordinator Kay Gilmour by emailing
officials@orkneyarc.org.uk as soon as possible if you can help out for even part of the day.
We will also need volunteers for the refreshments table if anyone would be more comfortable with that - just message the page and we'll add you to the rota.
Thank you!
Entries close on Sunday night for the Starlings Open Graded which is our first home track & field competition of the season, which will be held on April 26th. Please do enter and don't leave it to the last minute.
As a few people have asked, if you do not have a PB/SB then enter 0 in the relevant field.
Please message the page or the competition@ email address if you have any questions or difficulties!
JOIN US
Become a Member
As well as providing regular athletic instruction and training sessions, one of the key aims of OARC is to promote pathways to performance and as part of this, the Club organises and participates in a range of home and away competitions throughout the year.