Great Scottish Run Draws Tens of Thousands to Glasgow
Annual event features 10k and half marathon races, with junior and toddler runs taking place Saturday.
Tens of thousands of participants are expected to take part in the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow, a weekend-long event that began on Saturday. Organizers anticipate approximately 35,000 adults and children will compete across various races.
Sunday's main events include a 10k and a half marathon. Eilish McColgan, Scotland's 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, and charity fundraiser Craig Ferguson are serving as official starters. Saturday's schedule saw the successful return of junior and toddler events, which had been canceled the previous year due to concerns over Storm Amy.
This year's junior events were kicked off by Athena and Hammer from the TV show Gladiators, who sent off over 2,000 young runners at Glasgow Green for the AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Scottish Run. McColgan, who also appeared at the junior starting line, emphasized the importance of such events in fostering a love for running from a young age.
The 10k race is scheduled to begin at 8:26 AM on Sunday, with elite wheelchair competitors starting first. Three waves of 10k runners will follow, commencing between 8:30 AM and 9:03 AM. The half marathon will commence later, with its first wave of elite runners setting off at 10:10 AM. The final wave of half marathon participants is expected to start at 12:13 PM.
Race Routes
Both the 10k and the half marathon share the same starting point on St Vincent Street in the city center and will conclude at Glasgow Green. The half marathon route takes participants through the city, across the River Clyde, and includes sections in Bellahouston and Pollok Country Park before returning downtown. The 10k follows a more urban course, focusing on four bridges and a lengthy stretch along the riverside, omitting the parkland portion.
Road Closures
Significant road closures and parking restrictions are in place throughout Glasgow for the event. Key areas affected include St Vincent Street, Paisley Road West, and parts of Argyle Street, which will remain closed until at least mid-afternoon. Detailed information regarding closures is available on the Great Scottish Run website.