An alternative to the 7 Hills Of Hell, this 7.4 mile run will get you going. The hills on this route consist of:

• Ford Street
• Kelvin Walkway
• Cowal Road
• Dalsholm Road
• Vet School
• Canal – Maryhill Top Locks
• Kelvindale Road

From the East entrance to the Botanics head North and taking a left down Kelvin Drive. Cross Kirklee Bridge, take a left down Wyndham Street and you’ll find yourself at the bottom of Ford Street for the first climb of the route. At 100m this will be the shortest climb of the day so class it as a warm-up, finishing in line with the Botanics entrance. Tell yourself it wasn’t too bad and then head back round towards Kirklee Bridge on Kirklee Road.

Enter the Botanic Gardens Arboretum gate, head straight on to the river and cross the bridge to the second climb. Don’t be fooled by the false summit because this is a doubler (200m total). Once you get to the top of the first climb, fire yourself through the tunnel and then onto the second climb.

Head West along the Kelvin Walkway, under the Kelvin Aqueduct, take a slight right to leave the Kelvin Walkway onto Bantaskin Road then left again to bring yourself to the bottom of Cowal Road. Starting at the railings then it’s a straight 200m shot up to Maryhill Road.

Head back down Cowal Road, catch your breath and rejoin the Kelvin Walkway West to the Dalsholm Bridge. Starting at the bridge and round to your right (no peeking round the corner if this is your first time) wind your way up the 250m of Dalsholm Road until you reach Maryhill Road. Try not to run into the railings on the way up.

Head West along Maryhill Road, entering the Garscube Estate at the roundabout. Head down the road between the sports centre and the pitches, crossing the bridge at the bottom. Keep left and follow the road round past the Small Animal Hospital and Equine Welfare Centre. The next 250m climb starts at the zebra crossing next to the horse stables. Initially it doesn’t look too bad, but rest assured there’s a sting in the tail when you get round the corner. No stopping at the entrance gate though, you have to get all the way to the summit.

Recover on the long downhill, turn left onto Temple Road then cross the canal bridge to join the canal path at Lock 27. Head East until you cross the Kelvin Viaduct. The next climb starts in line with the entrance to the Kelvin Walkway and snakes it’s way up 300m past the Maryhill Locks to the canal bridge at the top. This climb contains a section with the highest gradient at 13% and is the highest point of the route.

Now it’s time for the grand finale, the Kelvindale Killer…

Leave the canal path onto Collina Street, head down Guthrie Street and take a right onto Kelvindale Road, crossing over the River Kelvin again. Starting just after the bridge, this is the longest climb of the route (450m of pure burn). If you get to the top without stopping then congratulate yourself for your heroic efforts and enjoy the recovery jog/hobble back round to where you started.