Irn-Bru Games Launch at Barras Market
Hundreds of people participated in the first ever Irn-Bru Games at Glasgow's Barras Market this weekend. The event, held on Saturday and Sunday, featured three alternative sporting challenges in the east end of the city.
Local residents demonstrated their strength, speed and accuracy as part of a celebration of sporting prowess coinciding with the Commonwealth Games, which began last week.
Three Challenges Test Punters
A bright orange running track was set up near the famous Barrowlands Ballroom, where competitors dashed on a 10-metre Bus Sprint, challenging them to beat the number 61 service. At the heart of the market, sporty visitors tried ‘Bin Ball’ – throwing cans of Irn-Bru into a bin through a 3m high hoop. Competitors were challenged to prove they "had the girders".
At the start of the thoroughfare, there was a display of strength from people of all ages who managed to lift a 20kg bar full of bags of Irn-Bru. Each competitor received a can of Irn-Bru, and some obtained an iconic ‘Made in Scotland From Girders’ T-shirt.
Organisers Highlight Glasgow Spirit
Chris Butler, Marketing Manager for Glasgow Barrowland Market, said: “There’s been such a great buzz around the Barras and the city today and IRN- BRU has been a big part of it.
“The challenges and the punters have been fantastic and they’ve definitely showed they’ve got Glaswegian spirit. I mean where else in the world would ‘bag-lifting’ work as a sport - carrying your messages up the road is just a right of passage.
“Everyone has really enjoyed themselves and shown their girders. The Barras and IRN-BRU are two Glasgow icons so it’s been great having them both together to help show the city’s true athletic heroes.”
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”.
