Public invited to take on street challenges to mark Commonwealth Games
Events include the 10 metre bus sprint and ‘baglifting’, which is described as ‘the effort of hefting shopping bags that groan with weight’.
Members of the public have been invited to put their strength, speed and athleticism to the test with a range of street challenges to mark the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Drinks firm Irn-Bru said with thousands of world class athletes competing over the coming days, it wants to shine a spotlight on the “everyday athletic heroes” who tackle ordinary daily hurdles.
Instead of a 100 metre sprint – which Nigerian sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi recently ran in 9.84s – locals and international visitors will be invited to take on the “10 metre bus sprint”, for those who frequently dash for the number 61.
And rather than just basketball – where Team England will be looking to defend their 2022 Commonwealth Gold – “bin ball” will be set up in the city, where sharp-shooters can score by launching litter through 3m high hoops before it lands in a rubbish bin below.
The challenges also feature “baglifting”, which Irn-Bru described as “the effort of hefting shopping bags that groan with weight”.
While Team Scotland weightlifter Madeline Rosher will be hefting weights in excess of 100kg, the drinks firm said baglifting will start at a more reasonable 20kg.
Taking place on Saturday from 12pm in and around the Barras market, each challenge will see fans in with the chance to win a “golden girder”, along with other merchandise and cans of the popular fizzy drink.
Kenny Nicholson, director of brand at Irn-Bru, said: “Glasgow is welcoming some of the best sporting talent in the world this summer.
“But we wanted to champion athletes closer to home too; those people who show up with feats of endurance, strength and a whole lot of girders in the everyday”.
More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are expected to compete during this year’s Commonwealth Games, which run for 11 days.
The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, with Glasgow welcoming competitors, officials and visitors from across the Commonwealth for the second time in 12 years.