I will personally load the gun that shoots the foot of some of the races organised these days, for example take the Cancer Research 10k at Strathclyde park, this is a race I have run in the past, good value at around  £10, however this year it would have cost you £18.50p (£19.50p next year ) and that’s if you pre-register. This is for a run around a park with no police presence required or no roads to close. I know that it is for a good cause and all that, which would be fine if you were a fun runner doing one or two races a year but when you are racing on a regular basis I feel that this is a touch steep. Anyway as far as I’m concerned they can shove it! 

Looking for an alternative I stumbled across the Kilmalcom 10k which is run on the same Sunday as the Strathclyde park race. Asking around the club, Big Chris McGlennon came up with the necessary, paperwork and info, cheers Chris.

You can pre-enter or pay on the day, registration (£5.00p), is at Birkmyre Park Fitness Centre which is, race organiser, Inverclyde leisure’s new flagship. Originally two cottages, these were gifted to the people of Kilmalcolm in the late 1890’s by Local man Adam Birkmyre (Gourock rope factory). Used in earlier years by council grounds men and also as a day nursery they have now been tastefully restored as a pavilion and fitness suite.

The park itself was formally opened on June 7^th 1890 and a celebration was held wherein 300-400 local children took their part in the parade. It was children that were again to the fore as I drove up, hundreds of the blighters in fancy dress, I tried swerving, sawing the steering wheel from side to side like a madman but it was to no avail, their mothers were on the alert and kept snatching them away just in time.

I believe this wee race was first contested with 10 or so like minded souls taking to the local roads. 4 years on and the field is a strong 200 with a good going gala day to boot, a great café doing a roaring trade, Fancy Dress ( cat woman at reception was worth the £5 quid alone )  Kids races for the snappers, BBQ, 3K fun run and of course the 10K.

The race consists of a scenic undulating out and back, taking in the country lanes, by-ways and Sustrans cycle path around the village. The local people were out in force cheering and waving despite the cold. The wind, on the day, was strong and blustery and seemed to be into our faces the whole way around. I believe that given some clement weather decent times could be achievable as there is nothing too daunting in the way of hills.

I really enjoyed the day, as was the general consensus of those in the club who ran, even the rain stayed at bay for the duration of the race. I am still going through the mill a wee bit with various niggles affecting training and ultimately stamina which is showing up on my times, but hey ho, at least I’m running.

Thank you to Dave and Andy for their support from the sidelines and a special well done to Lorraine Gribben for edging under 41 minutes, achieving a new P.B., and coming home 2^nd Lady.