Having just finished a night shift, I quickly popped up to the house to pick up Evelyn and head out to Strathclyde Park for the 73rd Strathclyde Parkrun. On arrival, I recognised quite a few familiar faces from other clubs, and also other regular parkrunners from the Pollok event. I found out later – from John Weir – that the Glasgow event was cancelled this week due to that park hosting the Highland Cattle Show. The influx of other runners coming from the west, brought with it a few quality runners, including the guy who had won the Around Cumbrae race the previous week. Another handful of guys in RonHill Cambuslang vests also indicated that this had the potential to be the most competitive Strathclyde event I had ever taken part in.
Conditions around the loch were perfect. Not too cold or windy, and only the remains of last nights torrential rain forming puddles on the paths at the other side of the course.
It was a really fast start and I was quickly back in about 20th place. The usual happened around the 1km mark as some of the first out of the traps ran out of steam. I passed these guys and was passed myself only by two youngsters wearing 5-a-side sannies (makes ye sick). At the loop over at the turning point, I was able to work out I was sitting in 15th position. As I had settled comfortably into my desired pace, I was confident that I would be able to climb another coupla places. On the home 1.5km straight, I did my best to relax and stride out in attempt to catch more runners. This seemed to do the trick as I managed to pass 4 more guys before finishing in 18:25 (my watch said 18:22 btw).
Full results can be viewed HERE.
