Linn Park CTR – race brief 2025

Thank you for entering the Linn Park Trail Race.

Registration

Please ensure you are on time to register

Registration is open from 9.30 until 10.15. It is in the middle of the park in the field adjacent to the big house. NOT down by the White Bridge.

For those hi-tech folk, the What3Words address for the start is……..humble.stump.bought

The Google map on this link shows you the main features of the event.

https://bit.ly/2SHWXly

There is three good parking spots around the park. The car park off Netherlee Road is the closest to registration. Another car park at the golf club is a short walk through the park to the start area. There is also ample space to park along Lainshaw Drive near the cemetery and crematorium. Please do not park outside the houses on this road. We have advised the residents there that the event will not impact them. Please ensure it does not.

There is no parking available in the park. Please do no drive past the golf club. Access to the park is for residents, the stables and authorised users. We do not have permission for participants to have their cars in the park. Please do not jeopardise future events by ignoring this.

Start

Prior to the race, there will be a short brief near to the registration area. Runners will then make their way to the start line.

Race will start at 10.30am.

In contrast to last year’s event the park is pretty dry, and you’ll probably get away with road shoes. Personally though I’d still wear trail shoes.

We wanted to tell you a little bit about the route though. There’s quite a bit of info but there’s so much to share. Get your feet up, rest those legs and enjoy!

Route

It is a two lap route. Having tinkered and tweaked it, this year the route is solely within the park. No crossing the road over into Castlemilk Woodlands.

The route is designed to give you the best race experience we can offer! We’ll be showcasing Linn Park, taking in some of the Centenary Trail and celebrating the work that the Friends of Linn Park (FoLP) continue to do to improve the park.

Starting adjacent to the big house by the Centenary Trail marker which depicts the first running of Tootalinn, we’ll run around the house and up past the front of the stable and up onto the Wildlife Trail. This was created by FoLP with help from Kings Park Secondary, Netherlee and Merrylee Primary schools, and funded by Paths For All and FoLP.

Turning left, we head up the wildflower meadow and past the wildlife pond created as a haven for newts, frogs and toads by FoLP. Ignore the  zig-zags this year, and keeping heading right to the top of the meadow. Into the woodland and down some good trail. A bit of over and under with some fallen trees.

Cross the road for a wee stretch, you’ll be angled onto the path and through the Low Wood passing all the fallen trees damaged by Storm Eowyn, and tidied away nicely by the good folk at FoLP!  Twist and turn through the narrow trails and reach the main path.

Here we pick up the Centenary Trail. Installed to mark 100 years since Linn Park was formally opened on 2nd July 1921. Along the river bank and across the old tennis court of the mansion house, now hard to discern. The Centenary Trail finishes under the remains of Cathcart Castle, giving you a wee climb up the hill. You’ll love this!

Here we get onto the dirt again. Strava segment ‘The Dirty Back Passage’ done in reverse! Careful work has been done through this section by FoLP to encourage butterflies, with a recent sighting of rare breeds.

The trail brings us out at the golf club. Slight road crossing here. Behave. Listen to the marshals. The hi-viz heroes are in charge and have the full authority of the race director. Follow their instructions.

Up the path, and around to the left – NOT up to the trig point this year.

Down through the narrow wood path and into the Top Wood. Again some more storm damage trees.

Exiting the woodland and down the meadow. Careful of the odd pot hole.. A lovely riverside section brings you back towards the White Bridge. Lap 2 starts taking in the second section of the FoLP Wildlife Trail round the back of the stables.

There is several plank bridges on the route, which can be slippery when wet (great album!). Please take care when crossing these.

Roughly 9.5km. Roughly 200m ascent. Roughly easy!

Finish Line

Upon crossing the line, you will be offered a snack, fruit and water.

Feel free to linger and cheer other runners over the line.

The race will be manually timed, results will be ready as soon as possible. Asking doesn’t make them appear any faster!

Hi-viz heroes

These amazing folks have given up their Sunday morning so you can race. Show them how grateful you are. A smile, a wave, a thumbs up, a wee gasped thanks – all these things are appreciated by these people. Without them there is no event.

Abuse of any marshal will not be tolerated. The hi-viz heroes have the full backing and authority of the race director.

First Aid

First Aid will be available from trained staff. Minor bumps and grazes can be fixed by some marshals on the route. A fully qualified medic will be available at race control.

Water

As mentioned a water station is on the route at approx 6km.

Bag drop

A bag drop will be available at the finish/start. It’s not a huge thing. Don’t bring a massive bag. All gear is left at owners risk.

ReShoes

#ReShoes is back!

Having successfully donated hundreds of pairs of running shoes to be reused since forming Acorn Trails, we’re glad to return to Linn Park Trail Race with ReShoes and @shoesharemalawi

Organised by Clydestride record holder, Lucy Colquhoun, ShoeShareMalawi work with the Tafika Sports Academy in Malawi. Tafika is a community initiative focused on youth development, sustainability and behaviour change.

We’re collecting:

*Road or trails shoes, football boots, sports trainers (tied together)

*Shoe size 4 and up

*Men’s and women’s

*Reasonable quality, suitable for training and competing (soles intact, no large holes)

We’re also collecting pre-loved running apparel for ReRunIt. A brand new startup CIC, who were amazed at the response from our runners at the last event of South By Five. Bring along your old race tees, leggings, shorts etc…

Bring them along to registration on Sunday!

Any questions, ping a message via email hello@acorntrails.run or Facebook Messenger.