RACE RECORD
Huge field for city event
ARECORD field of 24,000 runners took to the streets for the Great Scottish Run – smashing the previous 2010 record by 1000.
The Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run included a half marathon and a 10K race.
But the event was tinged with sadness after one male runner collapsed during the half marathon. He later died in hospital.
The 13.1mile route saw runners race across the Kingston Bridge before running through Bellahouston and Pollok parks.
Both races started from George Square and finished on Glasgow Green.
The family fun started on Saturday with junior events, including a junior 3K. There was also an elite mile which saw the best in the west compete.
Thousands of supporters yesterday lined the streets around the course and Scots Olympic athletes Lee McConnell, Tim Baillie, Euan Burton and Eilidh Child welcomed runners across the finish line.
Dozens of celebrity runners took part in the race which is thought to raise around £1.5million for charity.
Scottish actor John Michie, who stars in Coronation Street, said: “I have done the London Marathon three times.
“Running is meditative and relaxing and gets rid of my frustrations.”
ATOTAL of 24,089 people registered for the festival of running weekend, compared to 23,386 in 2010.
More than 11,000 entered the 10K race, with 9793 in the half marathon.
On ‘Super Saturday’, youngsters took part in the Junior Great Scottish Run, as well as the first Family Mile and the new Toddle Dash.
A full programme of entertainment played out in George Square from 9am, including live music and dance acts.
Defending champion Joseph Birech, from Kenya, won the half marathon in a time of 1 hour 3 minutes and 15 seconds, with the first woman home, Ethiopia’s Bezunesh Bekele, finishing in 1.09.10.
Murray Strain won the men’s 10K in a time of 30 minutes and 57 seconds, while Elspeth Curran defended her 2011 win with a time of 35 minutes and 2 seconds.
Samantha Kinghorn, who trains with Red Star Athletics, an East End club for athletes with disabilities, won the 10K wheelchair race.
The 16-year-old, from the Scottish borders, crossed the line in 35 minutes 32 seconds.
She said: “My coach expected about 45 minutes.
“The atmosphere was amazing and the crowds were so good.
“I felt it about 8K – my arms were shaking – but the crowds cheered me on.”