Registration, pre-information and event start
Registration was easy and a pre-information pack was emailed out well in advanced with everything you could need to know. The organisers are really friendly, even on the day they were greeting everyone like old friends which creates a lovely vibe.
Race bibs were not posted but collected before the event (adjacent to start line) by extremely friendly and helpful event staff – they provided pins if required.
On site free parking was provided and marshalled, just 20mins from Glasgow City Centre and is easy to get to by car. The later you arrived, the further away you needed to park. If you were v late this could be a 1km walk but this was specified in the pre-information leaflet – my partner drove so I just jumped out near the start while he went and parked. A shuttle bus also operated to save those legs!! At the event village there are some very good quality stalls selling hats, coffee, pizza and vegan food. And a short walk to the main Whitelee visitor centre.
The run
The race is an exciting loop that follows the trails of the Whitelee Wind Farm site. It is well sign posted and had two water stops with friendly marshals and a portaloo!
There is no crowd support except on the finish straight but you don’t do a run like this for cheerleaders, it’s all about the nature, beauty and challenge.
I loved the course and the run, it is challenging with 681ft of elevation during the course. There is a killer hill at mile 11, so make sure you keep something in reserve for that!
I finished 8th in 1:28:25 and ran most of the run by myself with a distant figure up ahead and a couple behind, which is quite unique for a half marathon.
Goodie bag
The medal is first-rate and has a spinning windmill. Goodie bag was the best ever – including: windmill socks, naked bar, banana, jelly babies, t-shirt, energy bar, plus the actual bag was good quality.
Big bonus -- Over 1000 runner photos are provided for free by the event on facebook and through photographer’s website – that is amazing in itself, most runners have a personal finisher’s pic and the quality is excellent.