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The Course

The course is 5000m (5K) long. This has been accurately measured by Campbell D Joss (Scottish Athletics Certified Course Measurer) with a Jones Counter. The course is in Strathclyde Country Park, and entirely on tarmac paths, although some sections of the course do accumulate mud, leaves and puddles after rain; the paths to the north of the course do flood, but are passable (with wet feet). Dependent on availability, marshals will be at key sections of the course, or temporary signs in place.

Please remember that the parkrun uses shared paths. For the continued success of the event, please give way to other park users. This won't hurt your time, it won't stop you from getting a PB and it will make sure everyone continues to to enjoy the event.

Please, wherever possible walk, jog, cycle or use public transport when attending the event. If you do have to drive, please consider car-sharing to reduce our impact on both the environment and other park users.  Please also watch out for other park users when arriving and leaving. Parking is limited so try to arrive early.

Course Safety

The Strathclyde parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the run as safe as possible, so runners, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

  • Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
  • Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
  • Please consider volunteering to help occasionally - this event survives only because of your generosity - please vist the volunteer page for more information.
  • Take care near roads and car parks - some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the run, please drive carefully even if you’re late!
  • When running, take care on uneven surfaces - whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other runners, pedestrians, children, deer, dogs, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
  • Runners with dogs are welcome, but please keep dogs on a short lead or harness and under control throughout the event.
  • Runners pushing buggies are also welcome, but please take extreme care of other runners around you. If possible start from the back of the field and try to keep to one side of the main body of runners.
  • Please make sure you’re fit enough to run 5k (3.1 miles) – if you’re in any doubt, please consult your doctor.
  • Remember to warm up before the run.
  • If you see a runner with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
  • If you’re watching, keep clear of runners on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
  • While rare, Lyme Disease is present in areas where deer live, and occasionally passed to human’s through infected ticks. See NHS Choices website for more about Lyme Disease, and how to deal with ticks.
  • This is a free training event, so all run and attend at their own risk.

We hope these tips help to ensure that Strathclyde parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.

Age Grading

All parkrun events use Age Grading to help athletes compare results.

Age Grading takes your time and uses the world record time for your sex and age group to produce a score (a percentage). This score allows you to compare your personal performance against other people's performances even though they might be a different age and a different sex to you - the higher the score the better the performance. The scores can also be compared across different run distances - to allow you to, for example, compare a 5km time against a marathon.

For more information, please see the Running For Fitness website.

Course Map


View Strathclyde parkrun in a larger map

Course Description

The course in Strathclyde Country Park is an out and back course. It is run on tarmac paths predominately at the side of the loch and is therefore a flat course. The paths on the far side of the loch are susceptible to flooding after heavy rain but should be passable as long as you don’t mind getting your feet wet.

The run starts and finishes just North of car park 4 (the furthest car park from the Watersports Centre). From the start you have a long straight run on the West bank of the loch for approximately 1.5 km. At the top of the loch you proceed into a wooded area for 250m, at this point it is important for the runners to keep left. On emerging from the wooded area, the runners take a left fork and follow the path that is furthest from the loch. The path will continue for a further 0.75 km at which point you reach the turn. The turn sweeps round and brings you onto a path adjacent to the loch and continues for 0.75 km until you return to the wooded area. Again it is important to keep left. Once out the wooded area you have a straight run back towards the North Lanarkshire tower and the finish.

Getting There

Location of Start

Strathclyde Park is close to the industrial centres of Scotland, the park lies in 400 hectares of countryside in the valley of the River Clyde, between Hamilton and Motherwell. Mature woodlands, rough wetlands, wildlife refuges and neat open parkland all surround Strathclyde Loch, the focal point for many of the park activities. Strathclyde Country Park is firmly established as one of Scotland's leading centres for outdoor recreation.

The start and finish are a short walk away from car park 4.

Getting There by Public Transport

By Bus: Strathclyde Country Park is accessible by public transport and a bus stop is situated at the Motherwell entrance to the park. Check timetable / bus numbers with North Lanarkshire Council.

By Train: If making your way by train please alight at either Motherwell or Airbles Road stations from where you can walk, bus or taxi to the park (both are about 3k from the start). It is advised that timetable directions be sought before travelling.

Getting There by Road

The park is close to Junctions 5 and 6 of the M74 Motorway and Junction 11 of the M8. Please park in car park 4 if arriving by car. The park is well signposted.

Post Run Coffee

Please join us for a post run coffee at the waterfront café (upstairs in the watersports centre).