Pollok Park Trail Races – race brief

Pollok Park Trail Race – runners brief

Race registration

The race registration and start are just by Pollok House. Please bear this in mind when getting to registration and the start.

What Three Words – ///scan.fails.falls

Car parking is available within the park at The Burrell Collection and the Riverside Car park adjacent to Pollok House. Free parking for NTS members is currently suspended at Pollok House whilst refurbishment is undertaken. Both car parks are Pay & Display using the RingGo app.

The nearest train stations to the start line are Corkerhill or Pollokshaws West. The park is served by multiple bus routes. Check Traveline or Google for details.

Event registration starts at 8.30am and closes at 9.15am. Please don’t be late, registration marshals will be redeployed to other duties.

Race start

The races will start at 9.30. Both races will start at the same time.

Route

The route, it has to be said, is fantastic. You may have raced in Pollok Park before. There’s plenty others – Brian Goodwin, Bella Belter, Bellahouston 10k, and Pollok parkrun just for starters. However, you will never have raced a route like this. The closest you will get is our own South By Five! Unless of course you took part in last year’s PPTR!

The route is reversed from last year. Strangely Alex says this has more downhill. Not sure what’s happened to him!

Starting outside Pollok House, the route starts on tarmac and sharply heads uphill. Alex fixed the previous downhill start!! Then once the field has spread out a bit, hangs a hard right past parts of the COVID memorial artwork, and the heading up the glade. The flowers are starting to bloom and the route is beautiful.

We’ll wind through the North Wood, past the spikey head and through the sinuous tarmac of the Commonwealth workers memorial woodland. Downhill to the parkrun finish, but better! Road crossing by the Burrell carpark – heed the marshal or face a time penalty or DQ!

A tarmac stretch before heading along the lime tree avenue turning left at the wild garlic! If you’re not into botany, look out for the left arrow!

Cross the field to another road crossing. See above instructions. Same applies.

Quick wind through the trees bring you out at the main gates and the start of the Rhododendron Trail. Lots of underfoot improvements have been made here. South By Five participants won’t recognise it!. Practically mud free. Sad times!

Down hill off the Rhododendron Trail (more downhill!!!) and onto the finish line. Unless your a 10k runner when you get to do it all again. Lucky you.

It’s great. Multiple types of terrain, multiple types of fun!

Save your swear words for the race director at the finish line. We’re sure there will be some curses on the way round! In the interim, smile, say “thanks” and give the volunteer team your best gratitude on the way round. Without them, there would be no race.

Race Finish

Once you have crossed the line, marshals will be on hand to point you towards the refreshments.

Race results

Results will be manually timed, and available as soon as we can after the race.

Race signage

Leading nicely on…. The course will be marked in multiple ways.

First and foremost, you will have our amazing hi-viz heroes to guide you along at the main intersections. Don’t forget these folks have given up their morning to facilitate your run.

Interspersed between the marshals will be mix of hi-viz signage both large arrows, and small ones at ground height.  Will be great if we all look after each other. A wee shout, if necessary to put someone back on track is the sort of runner we should all aspire to be.

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.

Water

There will be water available on the route. Water will be available at the finish. The forecast is Scottish. Please bear this in mind and consider bringing your own as well.

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.

Charity

The event is raising money for Bike for Good. All profits from the race are going to this amazing cause. Cash donations can also be made at registration.

Thanks

Lastly, and once again thank you for entering an Acorn Trails event. We hope you have a pleasant journey and enjoy your stay in Pollok Park. We look forward to welcoming you back for a future Acorn Trails event.