On Saturday I returned to my quest to complete all the Scottish parkruns with a trip to Ayr on the south west coast of Scotland. I had planned to run this course during Janathon, but discovered minutes before walking out the door that it had been cancelled for several weeks – I went to Edinburgh parkrun instead that day.
Ayr parkrun is held in Rozelle Park which forms the gardens of a former country house with a trail course that skirts the boundary of the park, forming a shape that reminds me of a boxer holding gloves up to celebrate victory. I completely failed to read the course instructions so was surprised to discover that the first arm is actually completed twice!
Though not particularly hilly, the mud, tree roots and gravel mean this is not a parkrun for a fast time – and this is my excuse for my time of 32+ minutes though I suspect the slow time was more to do with me also failing to find the toilet before the start of the run. Despite my time I still managed to finish 29th – my highest ever overall placing – woot!
Yes. It was also the smallest parkrun field, what’s your point?
It was a gem of a parkrun however the highlight of the morning was when at the start line I was approached by a man who asked if I happened to be an Australian runner. “Why, yes, I am” I replied, trying to work out what I could possibly be wearing to give me away. But no, he had found this blog when researching Eglinton parkrun, and recognised me from the photos! This is without a doubt the first (and most likely last) time I will be recognised from my blog. So thank you nice man, you made my day 😊.
I have now completed 14 of the 20 Scottish parkruns. When I set myself this goal in January 2014 there were only 12 parkruns in Scotland, their expansion shows no sign of slowing down, so it looks like I will have blog material for some time to come.
The Winsome Run 
September 27, 2015 at 8:28 pm
I wish you had posted pictures. I bet it’s just beautiful there, and probably the antithesis of drought stricken California. Keep running!
September 27, 2015 at 8:32 pm
I only took one and it was blurry, but I’ve edited and added it in! I hope you get some rain soon.
September 28, 2015 at 5:42 am
Fame, how fantastic and great that Parkrun is growing and you can keep touring.
September 28, 2015 at 9:06 pm
We Australian running bloggers are obviously quite famous hehe that’s happened to me a few times now so just make sure you put your lippy on hehe that’s really wonderful, so much fun. And I bet your post helped that parkrunner find out what he needed to know. Looks like a lovely parkrun.