The idea of a night race/run came to me having grown up orienteering where night races are common through the winter months. However, from a running perspective a quick google confirmed that there are very few races run at night and I thought it would be fun to give it a go and organise. In Sweden there are “Reflexbanas”; courses marked out through the terrain with only reflectors to guide the way. I decided this was what I would aim for and thought Arthurs Seat was a suitable and safe location to try it out.
As the clock change was fast approaching there wasn’t much time to get myself organised. Luckily the club already had a supply of flags with pieces of reflective tape attached and so once I’d decided on a course I was good to go.
By 7pm the flags were all in place, darkness had descended all that was needed now was the runners. I was slightly worried the bitter wind would deter most people but by the time 7.15pm came around 30 runners had either already set off or were to go in the mass start. I didn’t tell runners what the route was and so it was down to them following the reflective tapes to stay on track. During my briefing it transpired that the reflective tape was not as bright as I had imagined but at the stage there was nothing to do other than hope I’d put the flags close enough together; they looked fine in the light!
Off they went and much to my relief I started to see headtorches on the right course and before too long we had the first finishers. I’d been worried that Whinny would be the most difficult to keep people on the right track but in the end I think almost everyone got “lost” on Dunsapie. Apparently I confused everyone by not taking them to the top…
Overall, there were lots of positive comments and people seemed to enjoy doing something a bit different at night. Thanks to all who came along and those who helped to collect flags in afterwards.
Pippa Dakin