With the clocks falling back and the temperatures dropping there’s definitely a winter feel in the air. However, this didn’t stop the witches, ghouls and pumpkins turning out in number for an evening dash around the campus loch.
The night time fun run, which involved one circuit around the loch in halloween fancy dress, was organised by Stirling University’s new ‘Get Active’ programme launched this year. The programme works to encourage students to get involved in sport in a fun and no pressure manner with 14 drop-in classes every week in the sports centre.
The fun run cost £5 to enter and was open to students and members of the public alike. This attracted sports teams such as the Triathlon club, and also members of staff with small children in tow. The total runners came to an estimated 150 participants according to Amy Beattie, organiser of the fun run.
Runners were taken through a ‘Thriller’ style dance warm up beside the loch before lining up to begin. The participants set off just after 7pm and unbeknownst to them there were zombie actors waiting on the other side of the loch to scare those who ran past. Eerie ghoul heads and creepy witch mannequins were also dotted along the course.
With each runner wearing a head torch and candlelit pumpkins lighting the way the circuit was well guided. There were also stewards in Hi-Vis to make sure no one ended up in the loch, some even bringing along canine company!
On finishing the circuit, participants were given University of Stirling goodie bags and prizes for the first three runners and Best Dressed, before heading inside to get a hot drink to warm them up. With the success of Get Active’s fun run in it’s first year it’s safe to bet that it will become an annual tradition on the campus.
Click here to learn more about the Get Active programme.
