South By Five 2023 – Kx5

Time of year

“It’s that Sx5 time of year ” exclaimed one participant on his Strava recording of the opening South By Five event of this year’s series in Kings Park.

And it seems that means the weather is beautiful!

We continue to get great weather for our races, and I know that’s just tempting fate, but I’m safe in the knowledge if the weather is garbage, it just means more mud for you guys to run through! And we all know how much you love our mud!

Kx5

Now as far as Acorn Trails events go, this one is a clean one! In year one, it led Gillian Gallagher into a false sense of security (she won the Puddle Dodger Award during that series), and even Michael Devlin likes this one (although he was a DNS this year whilst he cheated on us with another event!).

The rain held off on the run up to the race, so even the downhill grass wasn’t slippery!

But at least it wasn’t flat! A couple of tough wee climbs, and some lovely sweeping downhill bits, which allow those racing snakes to set some amazing times, and us mere mortals are allowed to catch our breath for the next uphill!

Results

Speaking of those speedsters! Cameron Muir (unattached) took the line in a whippet quick 17.01. He’s probably disappointed by that 2 seconds!

Last year’s second place man, was also this year’s second place man! Ultra-marathon specialist Grant Jeans (unattached) crossed the line in 17.56.

Callum Wallace (unattached) improving on both time and position from last year to complete the podium in 18.17.

Slightly unusual to have three non-club runners fill the top steps!

Less than 30 seconds separated the top three women.

Ruth Craddock (unattached) is no stranger to South By Five. She used her course knowledge to her advantage, taking the top step in a fantastic 21.29.

Finally getting a club (and not an all out running club) in the podium positions, Juliette Linford (Glasgow Tri) was just a few seconds behind Ruth in 21.38. Tantalisingly close!

Janis McArthur (unattached) crossed the line in 21.58 to close out the top three.

We’re looking forward to watching that wee battle develop throughout the series!

Full results can be found on our sparkly new results site……..here

Series

Next up, were off to Linn Park on the 19th November.

A particular favourite of Jim the Dog, Linn Park is very different from Kings Park!

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the ‘duck pond’ this year! We still haven’t found Ray’s pound coin!

If you can’t make it, please let us know. Also if injury is preventing you taking part please consider joining our hi-viz hero team. If you have family coming to spectate, also ask them if they’re able to help out. Every little helps!

One of the beautiful things of the series was highlighted in an overheard comments at KP. Couple of runners departing, “see you in two weeks”, {overheard comment} “aww that’s nice, we’ll be friends with them by the end of the series”!

We’ve seen so many good battles and friendships develop throughout the races in previous years – Ryan and Lukasz in 23! So we look forward to people making more friends as we close out ’23 and head into ’24. We also love to see our regular faces and look forward to seeing Sx5 stalwarts Amy and Colin in fancy dress again at Pollok Park!

2024

That leads nicely into 2024 (how can we be nearly a quarter of a way through this century)……

We’re returning Pollok Park Trail Race to our calendar.

This will take place on March 10th. It’s the perfect Mother’s Day gift!! Or birthday present if you are H!

Entries open on Friday 10th November at 5pm, with 5k and 10k distances on offer. This is a new route for ’24, and very much multi terrain with a good mix of tarmac and trail.

Thanks

Back to ’23, just want to say a big thanks to our amazing hi-viz heroes…

Cedirc Moreau, Brian Hughes, Blythe Lindsay, Anne Broderick, Stephen O’Neil, Mark King, George Wilson, Bill Oliver, Ian Cochrane, Liam McGregor, Sharon Kay, Stuart MacDonald, Angus Robinson, Deidre Hoyle, Debbie Wright and Paige, Charlene Harris, Laura Lennon

Also huge thanks to our Glitterati for their help in Saturday’s litter pick in the park, where we supported the amazing volunteers of the Friends of Kings Park. FoKP meet every Saturday in the park, feel free to join them in helping keep the park amazing!