I imagine that most people write race reports when they perhaps have had a good result, a PB, an out of body experience or such like, maybe even to do a bit of quiet bumming. Well, I ran like a coo in the slowest time since I joined the club 9 years ago and any out of body experience was probably due to the amount of pain killers I had downed to counter react the bout of back pain I had been suffering from.

Why write a report then?, ach! I suppose I just like to hear myself write.

I had promised myself a wee run out in this race when, due to a holiday, I had missed the inaugural running last year and also that Gordon Gallacher  gave it the thumbs up if you fancy something a wee bit different.

A warm, sunlit morning saw the crowds gathering for the start in Cowan Park, the beautiful day bringing out a surprising number of late entrants to swell the ranks. We were warned in plenty of time, probably due to this unexpected rush? That, there would be a 15 minute delay of the start. There were a few moans from the faithful and I dare say there would have been more if the weather wasn’t so pleasant.

Watch the start of this one, it is very tight with encroaching barriers and trees and as it is on a park path there is also a fair amount of muddy potholes to negotiate.

There seemed to be an unhealthy number of fun runners crowding the front ranks but I managed to squeeze through and got into my stride as we left the park behind.

And then there was the hill, 4K of heart and lung bursting joy, if you don’t like hills you would be better off staying at home and giving the jalopy a wash. Fortunately I like hills and knowing from the start that a good time was oot the windie I decided to enjoy the run. A lot of puffing and panting saw us work our way out of the town and into the impressive countryside that surrounds Barrhead, winding our way around the lanes behind the waterworks and dams.

Kilbarchan runners were out in force and it was so nice to see all that gold and black strung out before me. Aye right!

After the hill, and what a hill, the course undulates for a couple of kilometres towards the 5 ways crossroad before the decent back into town.

This must rate as one of the longest, steepest, continuous downhill, finishes in a Scottish 10K road race. It also contains a small section of broken pathway around the back of some houses which adds to the challenge, before sending you plunging onwards on legs of jelly back into the park and the welcome finish below.

Apart from the few wee gripes mentioned I really enjoyed the race. It’s local, the facilities were better than most, as was the marshalling, add this to the warm atmosphere at the start and supportive clapping and cheering by the enthusiastic spectators and it ticks the boxes, but best of all was the goody bag containing a medal, a T shirt, fruit, Highland Spring, cereal bars, orange juice and a water bottle. But best of all 25% off of a Haircut???. I’ll be back next year I mean to say, it’s not often you can fill your Christmas present list at one go.

Well done to all in the club who ran with a special mention for Leanne, 1^st Lady.