A 10K trail race in Glasgow, Scotland, went the distance as a local prankster altered the course markers, sending dozens of runners on a 2.5km detour.
According to the BBC, 115 runners were supposed to start and finish the race in Linn Park, with two laps of Castlemilk Woodland in the southern part of the city. When a quarter of the field covered 12.5km instead of 10km, it brought course measurement and directions into question.
Race organizers said someone had moved a route arrow and buried several markers to send more than 30 runners off course. Several race signs were later discovered buried under leaves and twigs nearby.
Michelle Sinsheimer, the co-race director, told the BBC that runners approached the finish line from three different directions. Some runners quickly realized the arrows had been tampered with, but others, unfamiliar with the park, were misled and ended up going the distance.
Sinsheimer said: “Some runners reported following arrows but ended up the wrong way. We’ve heard lots of different stories from those affected, but most said they were directed where to run. The sign was deliberately buried—this wasn’t an impulsive prank.”
She added that the runners were diverted away from medical help, which could’ve posed a serious safety risk. Another race had reportedly been targeted across the city in Queen’s Park, but the tampering was spotted before the race started, so no runners were affected.
“It’s bizarre, they imitated a marshal.”
Full story: https://t.co/wGgVIq0vqC pic.twitter.com/YIt3fNiMop
— Glasgow Times (@Glasgow_Times) February 18, 2025
While competitors were good-natured about the incident, the organizers plan to increase marshalling for their next event. The race also issued an apology for the “mischievous interference” and offered a discount on entry to their next event for those affected.
The organizers admitted they could “laugh about it” now but stressed that the runners’ safety had been compromised.
Runner sent the wrong way at Stockholm Marathon, still wins race
