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A prankster left exhausted trail runners bewildered after posing as a race marshal near the finishing line sending them the wrong way away from first aid stations.
Around 150 people participated in the Castlemilk Trail Race in Glasgow last Sunday morning.
But runners saw their 10k challenge descend into chaos after someone moved the route signs around the 9k mark.
The rogue race rep buried a large arrow that had been used as a guide and posed as a marshal to encourage runners to carry on the wrong route into a nearby park.
As a result, exhausted runners headed farther than they were supposed to and struggled the find the finishing line as well as first aid stations.
The mischief maker was blasted by event organisers for endangering runners.
No one was injured as a result of the change of route.
Those taking part have also offered a 50 percent discount for an event in Glasgow’s Linn park next month for anyone who felt impacted by the joke.
Around 150 people participated in the Castlemilk Trail Race in Glasgow last Sunday morning
The rogue race rep buried a large arrow that had been used as a guide and posed as a marshal to encourage runners to carry on the wrong route into a nearby park
Exhausted runners headed farther than they were supposed to and struggled the find the finishing line as well as first aid stations
In a statement, a spokesperson for organisers Acorn Trails said: ‘Towards the end of the route, a member of the public took it upon themselves to bury a large route arrow and then move a smaller one to change the direction of the route.
‘They then imitated a marshal and pointed runners in the incorrect direction.
‘The pettiness endangered runners taking them away from the safety of a marked and marshalled course, and forced them further into the park, towards the road and away from any first aid provision they could have potentially required.
‘It makes me rather angry that anyone could be so reckless.
‘I’m also disappointed that an easy fix for this, an actual Acorn Trails marshal deployed at this spot would have alleviated this issue.
‘That’s our fault and one for which I wholeheartedly apologise.
‘We have limited resources at our disposal but ultimately it’s my decision as to where they are deployed.
‘In hindsight it seems I got this location incorrect and it needs more than course marking to assist runners.
The mischief maker was blasted by event organisers for endangering runners
‘It’s hard to factor in interference from mischievous folk and this was a spot we didn’t think would have such an issue.’
The statement added: ‘If you feel your race enjoyment and experience today was negatively impacted by this interference, we’d like to offer you a 50 percent discount on your entry to Linn Park Trail Race on 16th March.
‘Hopefully the majority of you had a positive race day experience and enjoyed the trails that we love. What a route.’
Social media users backed the event organisers.
One said: ‘I was one of the chosen few, gave me a good story to tell at my post race ‘recovery session’.
‘Already signed up for Linn Trail and thanks for the discount offer but more than happy to pay normal price as I get so much out of your events.’
Another added: ‘Honestly, impossible for you to take account of idiots. Why anyone would do this is beyond me.’
