The Midnight Run

Arrived about 10.30pm to set everything up, with just the key people there ahead of the game, our great volunteers - The Cones.

Angus at Bodach's Kitchen was busy making soup for post-run warmth, and handing out teas and coffees for those wanting them pre-run. Huge thanks to Angus. Felt an absolute need to run a risk assessment on the ham and pea soup. 2 generous cups later Angus was pleased to get the all clear from and a risk free ham and pea soup.

Headed up to the Kelvingrove Park Bandstand to wait on the crowd arriving at 11.30pm for midnight. Not so much a 'crowd' that arrived but a select and bijou gathering.

First Midnight Run and although a lot of work done to create awareness not quite the thousands we had been dreading from a safety point of view. However enough keen runners and walkers to help us push the point home that many of us - especially at the moment - are restless sleepers or just can't sleep with the sheer volume of worry going on in our heads. Matters not who you are or your situation the world is giving us much to worry about - our own wee world and the world at large.

High-viz vests and head-torches handed out. Some of the fitter runners, and obviously runners, started to warm up. I understood why I had opted to lead the walk as the warm-up alone was absolutely exhausting - to watch.

@razgarh Razgar from @outdoorforyou not only led the warm-up but also was the official leader of the pack and headed off with John Henry @aberlourcc hot in pursuit.

The walk headed off at a far more leisurely pace befitting for some of us a little more mature with hip and knee challenges.

A beautiful night as the rain eased and it seemed to get warmer - perhaps that was the exercise. A few people out and about and asking what we were doing to which we responded "join us for the run", to which we received a resounding "not likely". One said "next time" - I'll hold him to that, if I can find him :)

Arrived back at Bodach's Kitchen @bodachs.kitchen where one young helper had fallen asleep - no reflection on how long it took us all to run or walk. Hot soup and tea was just the answer and it was great to see everyone socialising and chatting away after the run and walk. For me though I hadn't any breath left - well just enough to blow on the soup.

3a.m. by the time I got home and to bed - my how I slept.

To run or walk at midnight in amongst a group of like-minded people where the street lights are bright, the weather, albeit a little wet, comfortable for running and walking, and the peace of the City just envelopes and embraces you as those with you. A sense of calm whilst running, achievement at the end of the run, and a warm glow as you chat over soup, cannot be beaten.

YOU should try it, and join us on our next Midnight Run.

And they are off ......

Keep an eye out for the next Midnight Run.