Great Scottish Run gets moving at Glasgow Green
THE Great Scottish Run was officially launched at Glasgow Green by former participants.
Commonwealth Games athlete and 2013 winner Susan Partridge was joined by Stewart Jamieson who will be taking on his 36th half marathon in a row at 70-years-old.
The event was launched at Glasgow Green, where runners will enjoy their own celebrations when crossing the finish line in the shadow of Nelson’s Monument on Sunday, September 30.
After heading out from the start at George Square, participants will follow either the iconic 10k or half marathon routes through the city before passing under McLennan Arch ahead of the finish line.
The Toddler Dash, Junior Run and Family Mile will be taking place on Super Saturday, September 29, and both the 10k and half marathon on the Sunday. Up to 30,000 runners of all ages and abilities are expected to take part. The Bank of Scotland Community Challenge will also return, which was first staged last year as part of the Bank of Scotland’s mission to get Scotland more active by encouraging runners from each Scottish Local Authority to apply to take on a tailored ‘ 10 week to 10k challenge’.
Alex Jackson, from organisers the Great Run Company, said: “It’s fantastic to have the continued support of Bank of Scotland and their partnership over the last 10 years has been invaluable helping build the event into Scotland’s biggest week- end of running. We’re looking forward to welcoming all our runners to the city again in September for what will be another action packed weekend.”
Philip Grant, chair of the Scottish Executive Committee, Lloyds Banking Group, said: “I am immensely proud of Bank of Scotland’s 10 year partnership with the Great Scottish Run. Since 2009, it has evolved into Scotland’s largest mass participation event, bringing together over 30,000 runners of all abilities and ages from all over Scotland.”
“It also raises millions of pounds for many worthy causes and for the second year running it will give our colleagues the opportunity to take on the challenge for our charity partner, Mental Health UK. The significant fundraising achieved through this important event underscores our ambition to help Scotland prosper.”
Alongside Susan and Stewart, other runners at the launch included Rhidian Jones, who will be running with a 20kg backpack this year, and Stephen Louch, who raised the most money for Mental Health UK last year.