My new favourite

To quote a loud hi viz hero, “that’s my new favourite”! Never mind the rest of the amazing route, that finish line at Pollok Park South By Five was tremendous! It takes a lot to beat the Linn Park Trail Race ’24 edition but I think we may just have done it. Archaeologists of the future may find the remains of a missing shoe, or maybe a runner still in that mud! There might even have been enough to keep Nathalie Smith happy – she sent Steven along to investigate for her!

Speaking of Stevens, we had only one DNF in the race. Westerlands, Steven Gilligan pulled out after lap one complaining it was too dry for him! He’s obviously opted to marshal at the very dry Bellahouston route!

New trails, forgotten trails and old favourites

The new routes keep coming. This one included some new trails, some uncovered forgotten trails (I never forget a trail) and the old favourite, the Rhododendron Trail. It’s also pretty hard to resist using the gates as a start line, they look pretty iconic.

Also managed to find the odd bump, keeping in last year’s rise into the North Wood, and the lovely climb up to John H Roach on the Lime Tree Avenue. That was to have been a downhill but Michelle interjected, “this route is lacking a killer hill”. So that section was reversed and up you went. You can thank her later!

The trail also passed multiple parts of Scotland’s COVID Memorial, with many of the “shows of support” hidden neatly on the route.

Despite the comments and grumble mid race (we’re officially calling that a “grumble” @graeme mcnay – his grumble at me mid race isn’t printable!) – it seems the mud was a real winner. Society doesn’t really accept adults to mess about and play in the mud, so when the opportunity legitimately arises we all act like big kids and get stuck in and relive that childhood enjoyment under the heading of “he made me” but struggling to hold back the childish grin!

Best dressed, Xmas themed, mince pies mulled wine

Pollok Park Sx5 always has the added element of being Christmas fueled. Fancy dress was encouraged and some lucky participants were given spot prizes for their efforts. Thank you all so much for being the spirit to the party, it was a sight to behold!

That spirit continued at the finish line, lights and Christmas music (ahem😜) with post race refreshments including mulled wine and mince pies! Save to say the kitchen at Acorn HQ smelled amazing at 6am! The glass recycling bin hasn’t been that full for some time!

Wasn’t this meant to be a race?

Festivities aside there was a race on!

Hard off the start line the racing snakes were desperate to get those trail shoes into the mud.

Only once you’re beyond the new memorial woodland in the Burrell Collection meadow does the route turn REALLY trail. That early incline near the start just warming the grips up for when they’re going to be needed.

The first serious splash of mud, and dirt princess, Laura Wallace was seen rolling about in it. Her costume obviously too bright for her and needing some camouflage from the photographers!

Winding through the North Wood, I was accused of a lack of mud by of all people, Michael Devlin. I promised him that comment would come back to home to roost! 😜

That muddy hill and a new bit of trail before tacking onto some old mountain bike trails, not officially marked these days so useable!

Rhododendron Trail part one, then round again. Second time round and into the muddy section of the Trail, and THAT finish line! The one that takes your shoes off for you!

The key to all that mud as highlighted by former Rhododendron Trail avoider, Scott Macleod, is to “just run straight through it!” A tip he credits to having learned at his summer sessions running with Acorn Running Club. Good to hear those sage words came to fruition!

Results

Ruan and Callum continued their ongoing battles. I thought the mud might lend itself to Wallace’s strengths but it was still Fife AC’s Van Rensburg who came out on top clearing the mud just 5 seconds ahead of the Bella Harrier.

Matching the Rouken Glen podium, Giffnock’s Ollie Traynor again taking third spot almost straight to the start from the club’s Christmas outing the night before.

Karen McQuarrie leading the charge up slope and down trail, tackling the mud to cross the line in 27.38. Acorn regular and South By Five veteran, Roberta Fletcher (Run Rhaw) returned to Pollok and reminded us of her trail strength taking the second step in 28.30.

There was a flurry of activity with third, fourth, fifth and sixth seperated by just 19 seconds. Ruth Harrison continuing her strong showing on the tougher routes with yet another podium in 30.09.

Full results are here

Series standings…..

And it’s all to race for. Mud loving Bella Harrier, McQuarrie continues her assault on the lead ladies spot. Having missed the Kings Park event she needs to complete the next two races to remain in contention.

Hot on her heels are early leader Lindsey Branston, and the consistent Ruth Harrison.

A drop in turnout or performance from the top three would bring. Sharon O’Leary and Diane Beckett right back into the mix as they continue to push the top three and keep them in their sights.

The guy’s event looks set to go right to the wire. The leaders are all chatting to each other and there’s talk of certain runners not making enough races to stay in the standings which could really shuffle it about a bit!

Currently Callum and Ruan are battling it out for top spot, with Super Vet trail specialist Richard Cooper (Cambuslang) sat in third, with both Lukasz Pudlow (Bella Harriers) and Ryan Macready (Bella Road Runners) eying up that third spot should one of the top three drop out of contention.

Lots to keep an eye for the next race with runners required to complete at least 5 of the 6 races series to qualify as a “series finisher”. Runners completing six events will have their best five results used.

Foodbank

Donations for this event went to the Glasgow SW Foodbank who have a distribution hub in Cardinals, local to Pollok Park. Donations from Bellahouston will also go to this Foodbank, with the finale at Queens Park support the Glasgow SE Foodbank based in Govanhill.

Thanks for all your donations, along with all the usual race gear, it made packing the car after the race a very tight squeeze.

ShoeShareMalawi

Once again thanks for the show donations. I think a few runners were tempted to raid the bags for some suitable shoes prior to the race, or maybe some cleaner footwear after the finish line! I wonder how many of these Pollok Park shoes will make it into the Bellahouston donation pile 🤣🤣

Bellahouston will be the last shoe collection of the series. We won’t be collecting at Queens Park.

Hi Viz heroes thanks

The volunteer team amazed as always, we extend our thanks to: Lynn Connor, Craig Brown, Callum Wallace, Lukasz Pudlow, Magda Thomas, Dorothy Buchanan, KMAC and Sophie, Karis with Skye, Garry Smith, Michael McNamara, Angus Robinson, Cameron Winton, Steven Prentice, H, Sam Hampton-Smith, Deidre Parkinson, Marijana Asprovska, Zuzana Rencova, Robert Hill

Paparazzi Team

On duty were: Kev Queenan, George Wilson, Bill Oliver, Ian Cochrane, Blythe Lindsay

Thanks for all your amazing photos and capturing the enjoyment! Check here for some of the photos

Next up

We head to Bellahouston Park on the 5th January.

We hosted a Migo mile in November for the 15th birthday of Migo Sports. The event raised over £500 for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, which is located adjacent to Bellahouston Park.

For Bellahouston South By Five we’re going to continue this support and we encourage all runners to Go Yellow! Wear something yellow and support this amazing hospice. A donation box will be available for cash donations at registration.