Police have launched an inquiry after a car was reported to have been driven onto the Aberdeen Half Marathon route while the race was in progress on Saturday.
Incident reported after race
Officers received a report that a vehicle had been driven onto Riverside Drive at about 10am on Saturday, 18 July, while the inaugural half marathon was underway. The event saw in excess of 2,000 participants take to the city’s streets.
Police Scotland confirmed the matter was brought to their attention later that afternoon. A spokesperson said a report was received at 2.15pm and that inquiries are continuing. They added there are no reports of any event participants being struck by the vehicle or of any injuries.
"We received a report at 2.15pm on Saturday, July 18, concerning a car being driven onto Riverside Drive in Aberdeen at around 10am that day during the Aberdeen Half Marathon. Investigations are ongoing; however, at this stage there are no reports of any event participants being struck by the vehicle or of any injuries."
Local impact and context
The half marathon was the first of its kind in the city and attracted thousands of runners and spectators. Reports that a car entered the course while runners were still taking part will be of immediate concern to participants, their families and to event organisers, who are required to manage road closures and stewarding for public events.
At this stage police have not indicated whether the vehicle’s movement was deliberate, accidental, or connected to a road management failure. Investigations will consider witness accounts, any available CCTV or dashcam footage and whether event traffic controls operated as planned.
- When: Around 10am on Saturday 18 July (report received to police at 2.15pm)
- Where: Riverside Drive, Aberdeen
- Scale: More than 2,000 people participated in the half marathon
- Injuries: None reported
What happens next
Police Scotland have said their investigations are ongoing. Further enquiries will establish the circumstances that allowed a vehicle onto the route while the race was taking place. Organisers and local authorities commonly review cordons, stewarding and signage after such incidents; any formal changes to future event planning will follow the completion of those reviews.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Aberdeen Half Marathon (inaugural event) |
| Reported car on route | Riverside Drive at ~10am |
| Police report received | 2.15pm, Saturday 18 July |
| Participants | More than 2,000 |
| Injuries | None reported |
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation should expect to hear updates from Police Scotland as inquiries progress. The incident is a reminder of the practical challenges of managing large-scale events on public roads and the importance of effective safety measures for participants and spectators.
