Thursday 30 September 2010

Glasgow Green: the 2010 Scottish Junior Run

It is 4 September 2010, the day of the 2010 Bank of Scotland Junior Great Scottish Run -
on Glasgow Green (for the wiki entry is excellent and comprehensive ) -
We park beside the Gorbals Leisure Centre, for which you may wish to see

and cross the Albert Bridge (built 1871-72). . .
to get into Glasgow Green via the Saltmarket entrance over there on the right


Opposite is the Old High Court, bathed in the innocent September sun, from where criminals condemned to death were taken across to the Green to be hanged





A welcoming piper






















The finishing line
First up was this guy in a wheelchair























Photoshop (even Photoshop Elements which I have) has been described as the 'Devil's Toolbox' - which I can well understand, having seen too many garishly photoshopped landscapes - but it's nice to see what a sepia version looks look sometimes






Scotland top - thought I'd see more of these. Maybe they are just not very good for running in - or for any sort of sports really































Faithful hounds
Picking up medals



And what do you think of it wee doggy? - [yawns]


Nelson's Monument built 1806 - predates the London one by three decades (see wiki entry on Glasgow Green, link above)









These three stiltwalkers were fabulous





Think the guy is a 'Green Man' sort of character





Excellent - thanks guys, whoever you are

Obstacle course for those with energy left


A Holistic Area
Not sure what holistic means in this context



Not just any fast food - select baguettes
The People's Palace. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Palace
The marvellous Doulton Fountain (see wiki entry above on the Green above). Built by Royal Doulton for the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888 and moved to the Green in 1890. It's one piece of Royal Doulton you won't find on Bargain Hunt.

Enjoy

View from just above fountain down to Templetons. See
http://glasgowalbum.blogspot.com/2010/03/calton.html
http://glasgowalbum.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-glasgow-dalmarnock-road.html
We are heading down to children's playground down that road on right

Looking back at the fountain




Tired runners
Fast food and children's playground
Back at fountain. Isn't this a rather amazing view? One of the world's best terracotta fountains, and in the background a copy of the Doge's Palace in Venice
Green now virtually deserted just hour or so after race finished


Collection area for children by surname - all found presumably


Our three stiltwalkers are among these guys I think - bravo chaps



We swing ungirded hips,
And lightened are our eyes,
The rain is on our lips,
We do not run for prize.
We know not whom we trust
Nor whitherward we fare,
But we run because we must
Through the great wide air.

The waters of the seas
Are troubled as by storm.
The tempest strips the trees
And does not leave them warm.
Does the tearing tempest pause?
Do the tree-tops ask it why?
So we run without a cause
'Neath the big bare sky.

The rain is on our lips,
We do not run for prize.
But the storm the water whips
And the wave howls to the skies.
The winds arise and strike it
And scatter it like sand,
And we run because we like it
Through the broad bright land.

Charles Hamilton Sorley