2012 Perth Kilit Run, Guinness World Book Attempt

Yesterday evening I participated in the 3rd annual (my 2nd) Kilt Run in the town of Perth, Ontario.  This year's race was an attempt at the Guinness World Book of Records with 2000 kilted runners.  That's right, the kilt was a mandatory part of the run!

I did this event last year and I can tell you it was one of the worst runs/races for me ever... personally.  Not the course itself but the heat and I was so sure this race would be a piece of cake and it wasn't.  It was also wickedly hot!  This year we were about 5 degrees cooler which made a huge difference.  I also didn't set high expectations but to finish, and not feel like crap while doing it!  I also was damned and determined to run the ENTIRE golf course it was hard but I did it!!!!!


Because this year we hoped to set a Guinness Record we had to all pick up our own bibs and sign for them as part of the process to verify this was a legitimate record.  As you can see its quite the lineup.

Surprisingly amongst all the people there it didn't take me long to find my Taekwon-Do buddies who were dong the run as well!  Last year Jason and I ran (and his brother in law Vince who is not in TKD).  Mark our running guru at the Dojang joined us as well this year!  Mark is a great motivator and helped me through the final kilometers of my half marathon last year.

 This fellow was in full gear competing in the Warrior Class which included running with sword and shield and challenges on the golf course!

There is quite a festive air to the town of Perth leading up to the race (the only thing I dislike is we have until 4PM to pick up our kits/bibs and the race doesn't start until 6:30 so you have to sit around and wait).  There was music, highland dancers, vendors, and food... yeah who wants a greasy sausage off of the grill right before doing a 5mi/8K run?  Not I!  It was nice to have friends there to hang out with and just visit!

 L Jason, C Me, R Mark, B Vincent

My favourite part of the whole event?  Its the free BEER afterwards!  Nothing goes down better than a cold beer on a hot day after a long run!  I think I deserved it finishing the 8K in about 59 minutes!!!!