Possibly the Most Scenic 10k 'Fun Run' Course in Britain

28 APR2009

Two hundred and thirty two runners of various age and abilities took part in one of Britain's most scenic fun runs on Sunday afternoon. The annual event at Culzean Castle Country Park attracts family and friends as well as the more experienced runners. The run started and finished in the unique setting of an ancient quadrant and included road, trail, paths, forest trails and cliff paths.

The testing route started with an uphill section on road and then continued on grass through the local camp site. The runners rejoined the road and continued on a fairly flat or downhill section through the paths at 'Happy Valley' and along the road to the 3 mile point. The 'fun' begins here as the route took a sharp right onto a forest trail and up a steep hil and then back down passing a padoga. Up another, this time more winding, hill and along the cliff tops looking out over the sea to Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran. Just past the 4 mile point, runners got some respite as the route entered a flat section, along the border of the Swan Pond, before rejoining the road and heading up Pipers' Brae. The route then continued around the perimiter of the Walled Garden before reaching the 5 mile point. The route then climbed upwards passing the Deer Park on the runners' right and then the Castle on their left before the final push towards the Finish at the ancient quadrant of the Park Centre.

The first runner back was Kerry Liam Wilson of Girvan, winning the race for the third consecutive year, in a time of 29:58. The first Junior runner being Digger Clarke of Newton Stewart in 36:19. In 232nd place was Susan McClure of Dundonald in a time of 1:51:15.