Marathon returns bigger and better
New date and new town centre start line
The Stirling Scottish Marathon will be returning to the city next year with a new route and an earlier date.
Organisers the Great Run Company officially launched the 2018 event at the Stirling Court Hotel yesterday (Thursday).
Following the runaway success of this year’s marathon, which saw more than 4000 runners taking part, they say they are keen to see the event grow.
The second marathon will take place on Sunday, April 29, with a new route starting and finishing in the city centre.
Although there have been some alterations, runners will still enjoy several of the Stirling area’s finest sights . Blair Drummond Safari Park, Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan are all included in the 26.2mile route.
The changes were made following feedback from runners.
Great Run Company chief executive Paul Foster said: “We were delighted with the response to the first ever Stirling Scottish Marathon and we are excited to return to the heart of Scotland next year with an improved course.
“This event managed to capture the imagination of the running community in Scotland and we’re looking forward to next year’s marathon.”
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford said: “It was great to be at the launch of the fabulous Stirling Scottish Marathon, which I am delighted will be returning next year.
“I love the ambition of the marathon organisers to make this a signature local event which will be a great boost for sporting activity in central Scotland as well as Stirling’s local economy.”
Stirling Council leader Scott Farmer said: “The marathon proved to be hugely successful, helping to attract a large number of visitors to the region and promoting Stirling to an international audience.
“It was wonderful to see the way that local communities embraced the event, with crowds lining the course to support the runners.
“The route is truly stunning, taking in rural villages, the iconic Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle, providing a fantastic experience for runners of all abilities.
“We are well on course to achieve the ambition for the Stirling Scottish Marathon to become the leading marathon in Scotland by 2019 and look forward to the continued support of local communities in achieving this.”
The inaugural marathon was won by University of Stirling graduate Andrew Lemoncello and athletics legends Liz McColgan and Zola Budd were among the runners who made their way around the route.
Derek Hawkins, who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics marathon, was among those present at the launch event.
He said: “Distance running is on the rise in Scotland and events like this can only serve to improve the standard going forward.”
Fresh from competing at last month’s World Athletics Championships in London, Dunblane’s Andrew Butchart spoke about his excitement at the marathon returning to his home town.
He said: “I saw earlier this year how the Stirling Scottish Marathon captured the imagination in the region.
“It helped put Stirling on the map.”
Great Run founder Brendan Foster told the Observer that he reckons the event can become one of the biggest and best in the country, describing the route as the “most picturesque course you will get anywhere”.
A number of local charities, including Strathcarron Hospice and the Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund, also felt the benefit of the inaugural marathon, with many runners raising cash for their causes.
The first 500 entries to the 2018 Stirling Scottish Marathon will pay an early-bird price of £55. To sign up go to greatrun.org/stirling.