On 11th June the Harmeny welcomed mountainbike teams from across Edinburgh for the 2025 Edinburgh Schools Mountainbike Championship, and proved that when you combine youth enthusiasm, thoughtful planning, and a few muddy tyres, the results are unforgettable.
For Harmeny, it was an amazing opportunity for our children to experience a major sporting event right here in the safety and familiarity of their own home environment. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, encouragement, and shared enthusiasm for mountain biking, and our pupils were right at the heart of it.
An inclusive event for all abilities
Organised by the Edinburgh Road Club, with generous support from the City of Edinburgh Council and official sanctioning from British Cycling, the event saw pupils from P7 to S6 take on a fun and challenging cross-country course. Designed with accessibility in mind, the course featured optional technical sections for more experienced riders and bypass routes to ensure all participants, regardless of ability, could enjoy the day safely and confidently.
The race format included four age categories, run individually or in mixed formats depending on entry levels. Inclusivity was a core value of the event, with reduced entry fees offered to those meeting socioeconomic criteria, and schools invited to submit group entries to remove participation barriers.
”“The idea wasn’t to find the fastest racer, but to create a space where kids from all backgrounds could enjoy mountain biking."
One of the event organisers
Making muddy memories
For our Harmeny community, hosting the championship was not just a logistical task — it was a celebration of inclusion, resilience, and the joy of sport. Staff, volunteers, and pupils all came together to help welcome riders, spectators, and supporters from across the region.
”“It was great to see such a diverse mix of kids having fun, supporting each other, and testing their limits.”
Volunteer marshal
After the race, the children were tired but proud of their accomplishments. They particularly enjoyed trying out the jumps and were keen to have more for the next race.
We’re delighted to have shared our space for such a positive purpose and look forward to opening our doors to more events like this in the future.
