Thank you for entering the 2024 Killearn 10k

Saturday 1st June at 11am

As always, we are looking forward to welcoming you to our village and the stunning countryside along the Killearn 10k route. Please read this information carefully.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DAY

Race numbers and timing chips:

There is no on-the-day registration.

All runners have been sent their race number in the post, to the address used at registration. This number has a timing chip embedded in it, so please remember to bring your number with you to the start line! If you haven’t received your race number by Monday 27th May please get in touch on info@killearn10k.com.

We cannot guarantee our chip timing company will be able to replace any forgotten number chips, if they can there will be an additional cost.

Your race number is not transferable. We would appreciate if you did not swap a friend into your space as this contravenes Scottish Athletics regulations and jeopardises the health and safety of the race. We will have to disqualify anyone found to be running with someone else’s number. Please don’t embarrass yourself!

Please complete the medical details on the reverse of your race number before you arrive at the 10k. We do have emergencies, it could be you, don’t get caught out.

T-shirts / vests:

Your t-shirt / vest has been posted to you along with your chipped race number. Our purchase order was based on entrant request so we don’t have any spares I’m afraid.

Water:

To reduce plastic waste, we are asking runners to bring their own water bottle to the 10k. We will have some water at the start/finish line that can be used to refill, and there will be a water station on the route where runners will have access to a small amount of water. Think about the weather on the day and plan your water needs around this. It is predicted to be warm, we strongly advise carrying water with you and bringing some for the finish line.

Parking:

Parking in Killearn is very limited and we encourage you to car share where possible. You need to leave enough time to find a parking space and get to the start line for race briefing at 10:45am.

Please don’t park on the race route, it will just slow you down. Be mindful of the need for residents to carry on with their day-to-day business, so don’t obstruct driveways or access points. The village will be setting up the beer festival while the 10k is on so there’s a need to let the traffic flow or the beer might not!

Please do not park beside the Kirk Halls next to the Church.

Toilets:

There are public toilets in the car park at the Health Centre on Balfron Road.

Bag drop:

There will be no official bag drop facility. There will, however, be an identified area where runners may leave items at their own risk. Killearn 10k cannot take responsibility for any items left in this area and it will be outdoors so plan around this.

Route:

The route is the same as 2023 (modified from previous years).

The start line is in Killearn park. The exciting news is that this start in the park means we are able to provide a chip start as well as a chip finish. So, you now get a personal start time instead of a gun start.

To facilitate exiting the park we ask runners to self-select their position in the starting line-up. There will be markers for people who expect to get a sub-40 minute, 41-50 minutes, 51-60 minute and 61+. Please position yourself appropriately and let the potential front runners take the front line. This will help us manage the crowd crossing the start timing pad and also the exit out of the park.

Actually, it doesn’t matter where you position yourself because your time will start when you cross the timing pad, so you could be the last person to leave the park and still win! It does, however, allow our faster entrants the best opportunity, and being in the right group can help everyone psychologically!

The 10k will start in Killearn park, running up past the Old Kirk and turning left into The Square. Runners will follow The Square round to the Buchanan Monument, turning right onto Main Street, past the ‘old’ start line. From this point the route is the same as previous years. Runners will head down Main Street and out of Killearn, turning left up to High Lettre Farm to join the Pipe Track. On the Pipe Track runners head south in the direction of Strathblane, past Dumgoyne before turning and retracing their steps along the Pipe Track.

Running past the top of the High Lettre Farm track, continuing across grassland and into Ibert Wood, runners join Ibert Road to return to the village. At the bottom of Ibert Road the route turns right up Main Street and left into The Square, finishing in the park. Please note that runners turn into The Square before the Buchanan Monument, they do not retrace the start.

A gpx of the route will be available on www.killearn10k.com.

Race Etiquette:

Please keep LEFT when running on ROADS and, where possible use the pavement when going up Main Street during the final 500m of the race.

Please keep RIGHT when running on the PIPE TRACK to reduce congestion.

The water station is located at approx. 4km on the outward route. We encourage you to collect water on the return only. This helps manage congestion on the track.

Runners should also be aware that there will be police presence and we will do our best to hold up traffic for the start and the run out through Killearn. However, for the return to the village roads will NOT be closed. Runners need to take care and follow marshals’ instructions, especially when crossing Main Street at the bottom of Ibert Road on the return.

Killearn 10k is primarily a trail race and the surface underfoot is variable. Please take care at all sections but in particular on the section leading from Main Street up the farm track and on the Pipe Track (from 1.5-2k).

Please be mindful of the marshals who are giving up their precious time to help and be courteous at all times to fellow runners and volunteers. There will be plenty of marshals and signage on route to help keep runners orientated.

Towards the finish line in the park, please ensure your race number is visible and your SMILE is big! Anyone not displaying their race number will be guided away from the official finish line for obvious reasons.

The Pipe Track will close at 12.30pm and, therefore, anyone not past the 8km marker at that time will be asked to leave the course and transport to the finish will be offered. This is non-negotiable.

Don’t litter, just don’t. You will be disqualified if you are found to litter.

Looking after yourself and others:

Dress for the weather. The route is exposed and it’s Scotland; it can be sunny, raining, blowing a hoolie, or all three. The weather forecast is for sun and, if this is the case, we recommend you wear sun protection. Midges are guaranteed, there absolutely will be midges!

The route is rough under foot, so wear appropriate footwear.

Please contact a marshal immediately if you are feeling unwell. If you are unable to finish contact a marshal or wait for the sweeper/s to call for assistance. Please don’t leave without informing us, we don’t want to call out Search and Rescue unnecessarily.

If you find someone who looks like they need help, give it to them. Your time really isn’t that important.

While not prohibited, runners are recommended not to wear headphones. Headphones MUST be removed at all road crossings and any time you are running on the road.

Follow all marshals’ instructions.

Strictly no dogs are allowed on the race route. We are using working farmland and lambing is in process. The track is narrow and running with a dog risks injury to the dog and other people.

Prize giving:

Prize giving will take place in Killearn park at 12.30pm (earlier if weather is unfriendly). Winner trophies and prizes will be awarded for the following categories:

1st female / male / non-binary                             sponsored by West Homes

2nd female / male / non-binary                           sponsored by The Old Mill

3rd female / male / non-binary                            sponsored by Arnold Clark

1st female / male / non-binary V70                     sponsored by Country Cycles

1st female / male / non-binary V60                     sponsored by Country Cycles

1st female / male / non-binary V50                     sponsored by Country Cycles

1st female / male / non-binary under 20s            sponsored by Country Cycles

1st female G63                                                      sponsored by Gym 63 Balfron, Luloca & Art4You

1st male G63                                                         sponsored by Gym 63 Balfron, Glengoyne & Art4You

1st non-binary G63                                               sponsored by Killearn 10k

1st Killearn Football Team runner                        sponsored by Oakwood Garden Centre

Results:

Your feedback is sincerely valued. Results will also be available on the Killearn 10k website with links to photographs.

Other things to do:

The Killearn Mile is happening again this year. Registration is on the day in Killearn park between 9 and 9.50am. There are 200 places offered on a first come basis. Killearn 10k runners can enter free of charge as long as they have their 10k number on display (please don’t take a medal!). Under 8s need to be accompanied by an adult. The Mile starts at 10am and it starts and finishes in the park.

Enjoy your final days of training and I look forward to cheering you on in the Killearn 10k.