A Scottish trail running movement, TrailFest, has clocked up an impressive collective run in 2017. Through their regular social runs they have recorded a combined 3,554km to date since January 1.
This mileage is the equivalent of running from Milngavie to Istanbul, including crossing the famous Bosphorus Strait that splits the city.
Until September, TrailFest organised monthly trail runs of 5km and 10km just north of Glasgow in Mugdock Country Park and its surroundings. Since then, they have increased their popular social runs to encompass night runs, as well as runs in new areas, such as Clyde Muirshiel Country Park and Conic Hill, at Balmaha.
With an exciting TraiFest Run Programme launched for 2018 they are welcoming new members and have plans for more runs and exploring other parts of Scotland.
Co-founder of TrailFest, Ryan Scott, said “When we realised how far we had collectively run in 2017 it nearly blew my mind.
“We never would have thought our social runs would get us as far as Istanbul. I’d say to anyone: Don’t ever think your running counts for nothing or those small steps don’t make up the big ones.
“We set up our social runs to help get people running off-road and it’s been great to see so many people growing in confidence to get out on to the trails in all weathers. We’re really looking forward to 2018 to share even more trails with even more people.”
Membership of TrailFest is a budget friendly way to join in with the programme of running but you can also run on a pay-as-you-run basis.