Welcome to the latest edition of Sport and Active which is full of fantastic news and success stories from across the world of Sport and Active Health here at The University of Edinburgh. From news about our new partnership with Scottish Running Week, to our free entry weekend at our gyms for staff and students, to celebrating Eric Liddell at the Melrose Sevens, there is something for everybody.
We’d also like to pass our congratulations to Dr Jasmin Paris, a veterinary surgeon at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, who became the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons, one of the world’s toughest sporting challenges. The record-breaking ultrarunner cemented her place in the history books by finishing the gruelling 100-mile race within its 60-hour time limit. What an achievement!
Vet becomes first woman to finish extreme race
Scottish Running Week x University of Edinburgh Sport
The University of Edinburgh Sport is the new headline partner of Scottish Running Week which will take place 3-9 June 2024.
Organised by Athletics Trust Scotland, Scottish Running Week, previously known as National Running Week, will celebrate athletics across the country to increase participation through a wide variety of activities including a 5k – Any Way Challenge and local inclusive running events hosted by clubs and organisations.
Keep an eye on our social channels for updates on how to get involved.
Scottish Running Week x University of Edinburgh Sport
Get Active and Boost Your Mood
Keeping active is not only vital for your physical health but can boost your mood, making you happier and healthier, and is one of the five steps that evidence shows we can take to improve our mental wellbeing.
Free entry weekend for students and staff
Ahead of the start of exams, students and staff have the opportunity to get active at The Pleasance and Easter Bush Gyms for free.
- Easter Bush Gym – Thursday 25 and Friday 26 April 2024
- Roped Climbing and the Gym at the Pleasance – Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 April 2024
Free entry for students and staff
Join in
May Skills Weekend at Firbush
Are you looking to develop skills in a new sport or progress from your current level in a chosen area? Join us for our skills course weekend in May and choose the course that suits you! The courses will run from the evening of Friday 17 May to the afternoon of Sunday 19 May and are full board with accommodation in the main building. You will have access to our drying room and bar area. All the courses are delivered by our qualified instructors and may include some theory sessions in the evenings.
The sports on offer include Paddle Sport Skills, RYA Start Windsurfing, RYA Dinghy Sailing Level 1 or RYA Dinghy Sailing Level 2.
Firbush specialised skills courses | The University of Edinburgh
Staff only classes
Our staff-only classes continue until the end of the semester. There are three 30-minute lunchtime classes every week. Body Conditioning on Tuesday at 1.15pm, Stretch and De-stress on Wednesday at 12.15pm and Spin on Thursday at 1.15pm.
Staff only classes | The University of Edinburgh
The Power of Sport: Unlocking Transferable Skills for Every Workplace
In today’s fast-paced work environment, employers are increasingly seeking individuals with not just technical expertise but also a diverse range of transferable skills that can adapt to various challenges and environments. One of the most powerful sources of these skills is not within the limits of the office, but on the fields, courts, and tracks where sports are played.
The Power of Sport: Unlocking Transferable Skills for Every Workplace | The University of Edinburgh
Equality in Sport – Korfball
The Edinburgh University Korfball Club is helping to forge a gender-equal world and creating equal and inclusive opportunities in sport.
Equality in Sport – Korfball | The University of Edinburgh
Celebrating the Sports Union Games
On Wednesday, March 20th, Edinburgh University Sports Union hosted the inaugural Sports Union Games. The games brought together more than 150 participants, spanning seven sports and with participants representing an impressive 29 nations in their teams, the event embodied the diverse community at the University.
Celebrating the Sports Union Games | The University of Edinburgh
Outstanding Contribution Award for Cards for Care Homes Project
Julie Ann Fooshee, University of Edinburgh Sport and Exercise staff, and Equestrian Club member, has been awarded the 2024 Edinburgh University Student Association Outstanding Contribution to Community Wellbeing Award for the Cards for Care Homes project.
Outstanding Contribution Award for Cards for Care Homes Project | The University of Edinburgh
An explosion of colour and movement
More than 200 students and staff from The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University took part in the inaugural Active Wellbeing Colour Run. The free event, which took place at the Heriot-Watt campus on Wednesday 20 March, brought students and staff from both universities together to run, jog or walk 5km amongst an explosion of colour.
An explosion of colour and movement | The University of Edinburgh
Celebrating Eric Liddell at Melrose Sevens
Earlier in April, we partnered with the Eric Liddell 100 campaign to compete at the 2024 Melrose Sevens tournament. Seven players from Edinburgh University Mens Rugby were joined by players from Bath Rugby, Northampton Saints, Edinburgh Rugby and Strathallan School in the 1883 Centenary Cup and six players from Edinburgh University Ladies Rugby Club competing in an Eric Liddell 100 team in the Mike Bleasdale Cup. The teams were led from the sidelines by our Heads of Performance Rugby Claire Cruikshank and Dave Adamson.
Celebrating Eric Liddell at Melrose Sevens | The University of Edinburgh
Firbush x Edinburgh Earth Initiative
Partnering to demonstrate how taking teaching and research outside a classroom setting is an effective way of engendering environmentally sensitive and inclusive learning.
Firbush offers students and staff from The University of Edinburgh, and the wider community, a unique opportunity to connect with one another and nature and was therefore the perfect setting for the EEN team to build on and explore some of the themes from their Nature-Based Learning Project.
The project aims to harness the world-class learning and cutting-edge research being pioneered across the University to transform the way that students and staff engage with each other and the environment around them.
Firbush x Edinburgh Earth Initiative | The University of Edinburgh
Celebrating success
British Swimming Championships
Earlier this month 39 University of Edinburgh students travelled to London to take part in the 2024 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships.
Expertly led by the Performance coaching team Mat Trodden and Chris Jones, the Edinburgh University Performance Swimming athletes displayed fantastic skill and determination to come away with seven British Championship medals, three all-time top 10 British swims, Paralympic nomination times and an incredible 10 lifetime and 27 season bests.
BUCS Big Wednesday 2024
On Wednesday 20 March, six University of Edinburgh teams travelled to Loughborough University to take part in the BUCS National Trophy and Championship Finals. Students competed in hockey, squash, volleyball, water polo, badminton and fencing, bringing home an impressive medal haul.
BUCS Big Wednesday 2024 | The University of Edinburgh
Success at BUCS Nationals
More than 100 University of Edinburgh athletes competed across six disciplines at the 2024 BUCS Nationals held in Sheffield. With students competing in Athletics, Badminton, Climbing, Fencing, Karate, and Swimming, our athletes brought their A-game, demonstrating exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship.
Success for Edinburgh University at BUCS Nationals | The University of Edinburgh
Teams’ Success at Scottish Conference Finals
The University’s teams showcased their skills in the cup and trophy knockout competition this year with eight teams qualifying for the Conference Finals, securing spots in five Conference Cup finals and three Conference Trophy finals.
University of Edinburgh Teams Success at Scottish Conference Finals | The University of Edinburgh
Staff selected for GB Aussie Rules team
Congratulations to staff members Kirsty Martin (Customer Service Advisor) and Elinor Geddes (Gym Instructor & Sports Assistant) who have been selected for the GB Aussie Rules team for the Transatlantic Cup.
Stay updated
University of Edinburgh Sport | LinkedIn
University of Edinburgh Sport | Instagram
University of Edinburgh Sport | Facebook
You can find out more about all the opportunities we have for you (and your student communities) to get active at the Sport homepage:
Sport | The University of Edinburgh
You can also find assets to help promote the ways your staff and students can get (or keep) active on the SharePoint resource bank:
The benefits of being active | The University of Edinburgh