FIRST REMINDER: The clocks go back at the weekend! Remember that. You will not be allowed to start an hour early!

Welcome to the 2017 Antonine Trail Race. We thank you for entering and playing a part in a race we are proud of. This will be the 6^th running of the event set up by Robert Sanderson in 2012 but will be the first on the new layout. We’ve posted plenty about this on Social Media and in our email updates and there is a link to a Garmin record of the route below. We hope you enjoy the changes. The route is now more contained to trail, staying within Croy Hill, Dumbreck Marsh, Twechar and Bar Hill. That means no run through the Coach Road or Kilsyth anymore.

This pack will contain all the information we think you will need ahead of race day. Please take the time to read this pack before asking any questions. The chances are it will be included within the info below. Your race team will be busy all week with their own work and lives as well as setting up the race so you’d be helping us with this!

2017 Charity Partner: Play and Learning Support
We are proud to support Play and Learning Support in 2017 and we will be donating profits from the race to them once all costs and expenses have been realised. We have already donated £500 from the ATRX in May and will significantly increase this after the ATR. You don’t have to do anything here as part of your entry is earmarked for PALS. You’ve done your bit already by taking part.

2017 Food Bank Drive: Where you can help on the day
Kilsyth Community Food Bank will be with us on race day to do a food drive. This is optional but we ask all runners to try and bring whatever they can to support this local charity. Non-perishable foods please, tins, dried pasta, etc. Thanks for your support! 225 people each dropping a small bag off can make a massive difference.

SECOND REMINDER: The clocks go back at the weekend! Remember that. You will not be allowed to start an hour early!

RACE DETAILS
Time: Sunday 29^th October, 10:00am
From: Antonine Sports Hub, Croy (next to Croy train station), G65 9HD
Registration: from 08:30am at the Sports Hub
Race brief: 09:45am at start line
Timing: Manual
Numbers: Allocated on arrival

FANCY DRESS & HALLOWEEN
It is Halloween weekend and fancy dress is optional but there will be a spot prize or two for the best dressed. This is totally subjective and down to taste and our judges cannot be bribed. Not even with cake. We have a belief that this event could grow into a Halloween special each year. So, if you are not too serious, get dressed up and have fun.

You might even get to dook for an apple at the end…

TRANSPORT AND PARKING
Croy Train Station is right next to the start line. There are trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling (and beyond).

Parking is available at Croy Train Station and we would ask as a courtesy that you use the furthest away car park (around 200 metres) to park in. It is important that we maintain good relations with Scotrail and we appreciate your support in this matter. Please car share where you can.

Parking at the Hub is for race crew only.

Bags can be left in the Sports Hub at your own risk.

COURSE
The course is over mixed terrain with long spells of landrover trail, forest trail, lush grass, tarmac’d canal tow path, a wooden boardwalk and hard packed paths. A good hybrid shoe is always advised. There will be at least 4 or 5 distinct sections of >500 metres that will be muddy. Make sure you have some grip. We mentioned the course changes and in effect we have swapped tarmac for single track trail, hills and a wee bit of mud. It is a trail race after all!

The race starts just next to Croy Station and then meanders over Croy Hill, to Auchinstarry. Here we go into Dumbreck Marsh and do a loop of sorts through some flat but at times boggy stretches. The course rejoins the traditional route close to St Pat’s Sportsfield. From here we head to Twechar, following the canal towards Glasgow for a short spell before dropping under the canal via an old burn and tunnel and through Twechar, up over the Creecywood Trail and Bar Hill, descending towards Croy. The last few miles are up over Croy Hill, and retracing the opening 3k back to the base.

Here is a link to a Garmin record of the route from where you can download a GPX of the route: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1868777134

FACILITIES
There is a coffee kiosk at Croy Station. This provides some basic foods, hot drinks and snacks. There is a nearby Tesco (about 1 mile) and Mace shop in Croy for last minute snacks. There is talk of some cake being brought at the end and we hope the speedier runners aren’t too greedy.

There are toilets available at the Sports Hub and also a couple of changing rooms for boys and girls. The shower facilities are available for use.

MARKING AND MARSHALLS
We will be marking the course diligently but cannot legislate for people tampering with signage. If you can, use a GPX. Arrows will be painted into the ground also.

There will be marshalls dotted around at key points and will be wearing hi-vis vests and generally being the best folks you could have out there. Don’t be scared to high-5 them.

If, in the unfortunate event, you need to drop out please let the nearest marshall know.

First aiders from St Andrew’s ambulance will also be present on the course.

WATER STOPS
There will be a water station at around 6.5-7 miles. Just after the wooden boardwalk at Dumbreck Marsh. This will be obvious on the day. We will NOT be providing bottles or cups but instead all runners are asked to carry a soft flask or bottle which they can refill at this station. This is to reduce the waste footprint of the race and to keep the trails free of any discarded bottles.

GOODY BAGS
We will give goody bags out before the race in order to ease congestion after the event and to allow some folks a quick getaway. This will contain a tee and some other little things. There will be a bottle of water and a banana waiting for you at the end too.

IMPORTANT: Tees come in Small to XL and for any runners who asked for XS I am afraid our supplier was unable to provide, therefore all XS will be given a small.

MEDAL
You only get one of these if you finish! We will have some cute kids handing these out as you cross the line.

PRIZE GIVING
The Prize Giving will take place around 1pm. There will be prizes for:

• Top 3 males
• Top 3 females
• Male and female V50 1^st place

MANDATORY KIT
A mobile phone with the number of race director James Stewart in it. This is 07891 034181. We expect all runners to dress appropriately for the weather and we are not your mammies. Use your own smarts.

At time of writing the weather looks set to be Scottish.

RULES
We have only a few rules but they are sacrosanct:
1. Respect the marshalls. They have given their time up for free so you can run!
2. Always follow the marshall’s instructions, especially at road crossings. Failure to do so could result in being DQ’d
3. Don’t litter. Anyone caught littering will be banned from future races and DQ’d on the day. We understand the odd gel top or paper flies off but be conscientious and if you can lift one bit of litter from the trail to bring home all the better
4. The trail is shared with others. Respect them and they will respect you. Smile, say hello and remember you are doing something great
5. No dogs. The race is under SAL permit
6. Have fun!

SPONSORS AND SUPPORT
We would like to recognise the generous help and support of the following for this year’s race:

• TUNNOCKS
• NAIRNS
• CO-OPERATIVE
• JORDANHILL GARDEN SUPPLIES

LASTLY, IN PERPETUITY & RECOGNITION
In recognition of two the race’s most important figures over the past 5 years the ATR Race Committee has decided to create ‘in perpetuity’ shields which will be engraved with the winners’ names. There will be a female and male winner shield and it will be backdated to be engraved with all previous winners.

The Female shield is in recognition of the first person to win both the ATR and ATRX races. Hilary Robinson is a well-known face locally as well as being a super talented runner and we are honoured she has agreed to put her name to the Hilary Robinson Shield.

On the male side, the race wouldn’t exist were it not for the founder Robert Sanderson. His dream of putting on an autumn trail race in the locality has blossomed into a series now and after four years race directing Rob had to step aside due to personal reasons but still remains a friend of the race as well as forever enshrined in the constitution as Honorary Race Director. It is our pleasure to have the Rob Sanderson Shield up for grabs this year for the first time.

I am sure you will join us at the ATR team in applauding and recognising Hilary and Rob’s importance to the race and the local running community.

James Stewart (Race Director)
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/antoninetrailrace/
​www.antoninetrailrace.com

LAST REMINDER: The clocks go at the weekend! Remember that. You will not be allowed to start an hour early!