Disability Athletics


Suitable for adults and children with physical disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder.

Athletics events including frame running, wheelchair racing, sprinting, distance running, club throw, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, discus, hammer throw, hurdles, pole vault. Click on the following links for more information on Wheelchair Racing and on Frame Running.

There are two ways to become involved in athletics with AAAC:

Recreational Sessions

  • Children only
  • Ages 7 to 15 years (dependent on venue)
  • Various locations in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
  • No club membership required
  • Run in termly blocks that are pre-booked
  • Training: sprinting, distance running, club throw, long jump, triple jump, shot put, javelin, discus, hammer throw, hurdles
  • Full details and registration links here

Club Sessions

  • Children and adults
  • Ages 9+
  • At Aberdeen Sports Village (additional cost required for access)
  • Annual club membership required (discounted for athletes with a disability)
  • Training: frame running, wheelchair racing, sprinting, distance running, club throw, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, discus, hammer throw, hurdles, pole vault
  • Except for frame running and wheelchair racing, training is within mainstream sessions
  • Training times vary by coach and event, but the main training times are Monday to Thursday 5:30 – 6:30PM and 6:30 – 7:30PM
  • Wheelchair Racing (Adult and Children):  Mondays 4:30 – 5:30PM and Wednesdays 6:30 – 7:30PM (Racing wheelchairs can be provided.)
  • Frame Running (Adult and Children):  Monday 4:30 – 5:30PM and Wednesday 6:30 – 7:30PM (full range of frame running bike sizes available)
  • Please contact Ruth Watson at pathways@aberdeenaac.co.uk should your child wish to try Wheelchair Racing or Frame Running
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Frame running (formerly RaceRunning) originated in Denmark in the 1990’s. It is an athletics event in which individuals with impaired mobility can walk or run using a special frame called a frame runner. A frame runner is a three-wheeled frame where the athlete is supported by a saddle and body plate. The athlete propels against the frame using their feet and steers using the mobility within their hands and/or arms.

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People with severe motor and coordination impairments can take part in frame running as a recreational activity which is a very effective way of improving overall fitness, strength, and physical and emotional well-being.

AAAC’s history of coaching athletes with a physical, sensory or learning difficulty.

(watch 34:20 to 46:40)

Our athletes have included Neil Fachie, a visually impaired sprinter, who was part of the British Paralympic team at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Sprinters, Lewis Clow and Iain Boyd were both part of the Scottish Team at the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association World Games in 2015. Lewis was also part of the Scottish Team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Aberdeen AAC work closely with Grampian Disability Sport and Scottish Athletics to maximise the potential of all athletes.

For further information, please contact Ruth Watson, Aberdeen AAC Community Development Officer, at pathways@aberdeenaac.co.uk.