Tens of thousands take part in Great Scottish Run
Extensive road closures in place as 10k and half marathon events get underway
Tens of thousands of people have descended on Glasgow to take part in this year’s Great Scottish Run
Star athletes, celebrities and charity fundraisers are among those taking part in a series of races on Sunday, part of a weekend-long suite of events.
Organisers estimate around 35,000 adults and children will have taken part over the course of the two days.
Eilish McColgan, the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres champion, and Craig Ferguson, who made headlines after embarking on a 3,200 mile charity walk across the US earlier this year, were the official starters for Sunday’s events, which include a 10k and a half marathon.
Elite wheelchair competitors were the first to set off on the 10k shortly before 8.30am on Sunday, with three colour co-ordinated waves of runners then heading off over the next half hour.
The 13.1 mile half marathon features six waves of participants with the first, consisting of elite runners, setting the pace at 10:10am.The final wave of runners are scheduled to go off at around 12.15pm.
Both the 10k and the half marathon start on St Vincent Street in the city centre and conclude on Glasgow Green.
The half-marathon runners follow an urban route through the city before crossing the River Clyde towards the south side of the city, going towards Bellahouston and Pollok Country Park and then returning to the city centre.
The 10k follows a more urban course, skipping the park section but taking in four bridges and a long riverside stretch along the Clyde.
A large number of road closures and parking restrictions are in place for the event, both on the route itself and surrounding areas around the city. Busy thoroughfares such as St Vincent Street, Paisley Road West, and part of Argyle Street, are set to be closed until at least the middle of the afternoon.
On Saturday, thousands of children turned out for the return of the junior and mini Great Scottish Run events at Glasgow Green, with Athena and Hammer, two of the stars from the hit BBC television show, Gladiators, among those cheering on the youngsters.
Athena said: “Seeing so many young runners give it everything was brilliant. The energy on Glasgow Green was unreal, and every single one of them should be proud of themselves.”
Ms McColgan, the British record holder for the 5000 metres, 10,000 metres, and half marathon, was also on hand to support the children taking part.
“Days like this are where it all starts,” she said. “I loved running as a kid, and seeing thousands of children crossing the finish line with huge smiles is the best thing about the Great Scottish Run weekend.”
Fundraisers included Zane Murray, 11 who raised £900 for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and sisters Lana, eight, and Edie, seven, who raised funds for the Beatson.
Their mother, Colleen, said: “It was lovely to get the kids involved. The girls had a great time and they loved meeting the Gladiators. Glasgow is at its best when it’s a family event like this and everyone comes together. Everyone knows someone who has had treatment at the Beatson.”
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