Tinto 2024: Keeping It Real

“Watch out for the barbed wire.”

Kind advice that came just in time for my bottom foot to slip off, leaving me impaled on the fence by the kissing gate with some choice lacerations on the back of my thigh. Thanks to whoever it was who prised me off and pushed me over.

“Y’know, I’ve done this race a few times, but never been to the top of Tinto.”

Normally you go round the large cairn at the top but for some reason folk were going up to the trig-point this year. A PB was not on the cards, so I took the extra 10s to get the tick.

“The away kit today is it?”

Luckily I only had my fluro-pink Adidas top with me, so no-one would notice that I’d left my Westies vest in Glasgow.

“Fits and starts Owen, fits and starts!”

Mr O’Neill was employing an interesting sprint-then-jog-then-sprint method on the climb. Can’t say it appealed, but he did overhaul me on the final 100ft (then collapsed by the finish-line and began puking violently).

“I’m the time-keeper.”

Andy decided to keep an eye on his record/marshal this year.

“That’s not very nice.”

Maybe it isn’t very nice to give the fingers behind Shettleston as they pose for a group photo but, as I explained to the moralising 8-year old, they deserved it.

“There’s nowhere to hide up there.”

Damn-straight. With Tinto you turn-up, sign-up and run-up with no additional complications or worries. Everything you need and nothing you don’t.

“It’s too runnable.”

Don’t listen to the head-bangers, this race is one of the best.