What better way is there than spending a summer’s Friday evening in a balmy (it was not raining = balmy) East Kilbride, those were my thoughts before my first running of this demanding trial race organised by Calderglen Harriers

Four Tortoises gathered around the map of the course wondering if it actually could be that hilly over just 10k, after half a mile running the answer was a resounding  yes !

Other notable club vests in the race were from Kilmarnock Harriers, Lothian, North Ayrshire AC and Motherwell.

The course meandered up down and around Calderglen Country Park, in many places it was single file running as you negotiated narrow foot paths and numerous steps, after about a mile and a half the course widened out and you were able to overtake or in my case be overtaken on certain stretches, the course in places was really similar to our training runs through the Smugglers Trail but in race conditions you are always pushing your self a little harder so it felt a lot tougher.

As a marshal resplendent is his midges head-dress directed us to a path to take us to the finish line two miles away  I had started to finally enjoy the challenge of the terrain but I cannot lie that the finish line was a welcome  site.

Overall it was a great well organised challenging event , with a medal and fantastic buffet afterword’s what better way to spend a summers evening.

results on the 2015 tab at the top of this page.