Strathclyde Park Half Marathon Race Review
The strathclyde park half marathon is a great example of a friendly Scottish race that delivers big value for a fair price. I ran it today in Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell, and finished in 1:59:50, which was a big improvement on my previous half marathon time of 2:15:16.
Race Day Conditions
Between 9am and 12 noon the weather was typical central Scotland autumn running weather. It was cool and mostly overcast, with light breeze around the loch and temperatures sitting roughly in the 8–11 °C range. There were a few passing showers, but nothing heavy. For runners it felt almost ideal: cool enough to keep the effort comfortable, but not freezing for waiting around at the start.
Strathclyde Park Half Marathon Route
The strathclyde park half marathon route is simple and very easy to follow. You run three laps around Strathclyde Loch, plus a short extra out-and-back section at the end to make up the full 21.1 km distance. The paths are mainly tarmac and well maintained, and most of the course is flat with one medium hill in the middle of each lap that you tackle three times.
| Section | Approx. Distance | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Lap 1 around the loch | ~7.0 km | Mostly flat with one medium hill |
| Lap 2 around the loch | ~7.0 km | Same loop, hill feels a bit tougher here |
| Lap 3 around the loch | ~7.0 km | Final repeat of the hill, legs working hard |
| Extra “double back” section | ~0.1 km | Short out-and-back to reach 21.1 km |
Entry Cost and What You Get
Race entry for the half marathon was £25, which felt very fair for what you get on the day. The event is organised through Up and Running Events and you can see full details and future dates on the Strathclyde Park 5k/10k/Half Marathon event page.
- Medal at the finish
- Water and popcorn at the end
- Free race photos, and noticeably better quality than many events
- Chip timing and a properly measured course
For £25, that combination of medal, photos, and a well organised event makes the strathclyde park half marathon excellent value, especially compared with some larger city races that offer less for a higher price.
What I Liked About the Race
There were a lot of positives on the day:
- Plenty of parking: easy to arrive, park, and get to the start without stress.
- Smooth registration: number collection was quick and straightforward.
- Smaller event feel: friendly atmosphere without huge crowds or long queues.
- Supportive vibe: lots of clapping and cheering from marshals and other runners.
- Scenery: the park is clean, well maintained, and the loch views are lovely.
For me, this combination made it feel like a proper race but without the pressure of a massive mass-participation event. It is a great step up for anyone who has done a local 10K and wants to try a half marathon.
What Could Be Better
There were a few areas that could be improved, especially if you are planning this as a key goal race.
- Toilets on the route: there were portacabins at the start and then roughly every 6 km. That might be survivable for men, but for women or anyone with a dodgy stomach after gels, it can be a real worry.
- Water station spacing: the main water stations were fairly close to the start area. It would be better to have at least one more station out on the far side of the loch.
- Repetitive laps: running the same loop three times can feel a bit boring mentally, especially compared with a point-to-point or city course.
- The hill three times: the medium hill is fine once, but by the third lap you really feel it in your legs.
None of these are deal breakers, but they are worth knowing before you sign up so you can plan hydration and your mental game.
My Performance and Time Comparison
I was very happy with my result here. I finished in 1:59:50, which was a big step forward from my previous half marathon, where I ran 2:15:16. That is roughly a 15 minute improvement, helped by better pacing and more consistent training.
| Race | Finish Time | Average Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Previous Half Marathon | 2:15:16 | ~6:25 min/km |
| Strathclyde Park Half Marathon | 1:59:50 | ~5:41 min/km |
If you are thinking about your own target time, you might also find our guide on average time for a 5K useful as a starting point to build up from shorter races.
Gear I Used on the Day
The course is mostly flat, paved, and quite exposed around the loch, so I kept my kit simple and practical. I carried my essentials in a STRYQ Running Belt, which meant I could keep gels, phone, and keys secure without any bounce. For longer training runs at Strathclyde, a STRYQ Hydration Vest would be ideal, especially if you prefer more frequent sips between official water stations.
You can see more options in the full STRYQ running gear collection, which is built for UK runners training in real mixed-weather conditions.
Strathclyde Country Park as a Day Out
One of the best parts of racing here is that Strathclyde Country Park is a proper destination in its own right. It covers around 400 hectares of countryside around Strathclyde Loch and sits between Motherwell and Hamilton. There are plenty of paths, play areas, and water-based activities when the centre is fully open. You can read more on the Strathclyde Country Park official site.
| Activity | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lochside paths and walks | Flat paths around Strathclyde Loch, ideal for walking or easy running. | Families, supporters, easy recovery runs. |
| Play areas and open space | Adventure-style play areas and big grass spaces near the loch. | Kids, picnics, post-race relaxing. |
| Cycling and running routes | Traffic-free paths and links to routes like the Greenlink path. | Training days and active days out. |
| Cafés and nearby facilities | Access to food, coffee, and toilets near the main park hub. | Supporters waiting during the race. |
It is a good place to bring family or friends, as they can walk, watch the race go past multiple times, and still have things to do between laps.
Would I Do the Strathclyde Park Half Marathon Again?
Yes. For the price, atmosphere, and organisation, I would definitely run the strathclyde park half marathon again. It is not the most exciting route in terms of variety, but it is fast, friendly, and honest. If you can handle repeating the same loop three times and tackling that hill on each lap, it is a great place to chase a sub-two-hour time or practise pacing before a bigger goal race.
FAQs
How much does the Strathclyde Park half marathon cost? Entry for the half marathon distance was £25, which includes a medal, water, popcorn, chip timing, and free race photos.
Is the Strathclyde Park half marathon flat? The course is mostly flat around the loch but includes one medium hill in each lap, which you run three times. It is still a relatively fast route overall.
Is Strathclyde Park good for first-time half marathon runners? Yes. The smaller field, clear route, and friendly atmosphere make it a good option, as long as you are comfortable with repeated laps.
What gear is best for this race? A secure belt or vest is ideal so you can carry gels and your phone without worrying about pockets. The STRYQ Running Belt and STRYQ Hydration Vest both work well on this type of course.