The Great Scottish Run is a series of mass-participation

road running Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road. This differs from track and field on a regular track and cross country running over natural terrain. These events are usually classified as long-distance ...

events, held annually in the streets of

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popu ...

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to ...

in October. The event began as a full

marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...

in 1979, but later changed to a weekend of shorter events. The weekend now includes short events for children, a 10K roadrace, and a

half marathon A half marathon is a road running event of —half the distance of a marathon. It is common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon or a 5K race, using almost the same course with a late start, an early finish or shortcut ...

. The 2013 event, which was sponsored by the

Bank of Scotland The Bank of Scotland plc (Scottish Gaelic: ''Banca na h-Alba'') is a commercial and clearing bank based in Scotland and is part of the Lloyds Banking Group, following the Bank of Scotland's implosion in 2008. The bank was established by th ...

, featured over 30,000 competitors. It is the largest mass-participation sporting event in Scotland.

History

A Glasgow road-race began in 1979 as the Glasgow Marathon, and was run over the full marathon distance, over four loops around the centre of the city. This initial event set the challenging qualifying standard of 3 hours, which limited participation to 62 runners in the first year and 144 in the second. The third year dropped the qualifying standard and encouraged mass participation, with over 7,000 runners competing in the first Scottish People's Marathon. The race continued over this distance until 1988 when, faced with diminishing participation and little engagement from TV and sponsors, the event was run over a half-marathon course. The following year the distance changed again, this time to , and for the first time the event was named the Great Scottish Run. This unusual distance proved unpopular with the elite athletes who the organisers had hoped to attract, and so two years later the race returned to the half marathon format. After the running of the 2016 event, a number of runners raised concerns that their GPS watches reported the route was shorter than the prescribed distance. The race organisers, The Great Run Company, later confirmed that the course was too short; the inaccuracy came from both a setup error in one section and errors measuring the route when roads (which are closed to traffic during the race) were in normal operation. The 2016 men's event winner,

Callum Hawkins Callum Robert Hawkins (born 22 June 1992) is a British distance runner, who competed in the marathon at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He is the Scottish record holder in the marathon and the British all-time number three at that distance behind Mo F ...

, had broken the Scottish half marathon record, but the non-regulation distance invalidates this record.

Course

Half marathon course

The half marathon begins in

George Square George Square ( gd, Ceàrnag Sheòrais) is the principal civic square in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is one of six squares in the city centre, the others being Cathedral Square, St Andrew's Square, St Enoch Square, Royal Exchange ...

and immediately heads steeply up

St. Vincent Street St. Vincent Street, is one of the major streets in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland. It was formed in the early 1800s as part of the residential New Town of Blythswood developed by William Harley of Blythswood Square. St. Vincent Street was ...

, going west through the city's commercial centre and

Anderston Anderston ( sco, Anderstoun, gd, Baile Aindrea) is an area of Glasgow, Scotland. It is on the north bank of the River Clyde and forms the south western edge of the city centre. Established as a village of handloom weavers in the early 18th cent ...

. Runners then join a sliproad of the M8 motorway and cross the

River Clyde The River Clyde ( gd, Abhainn Chluaidh, , sco, Clyde Watter, or ) is a river that flows into the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. It is the ninth-longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third-longest in Scotland. It runs through the major cit ...

on the Kingston Bridge, part of which is closed to vehicle traffic for the Sunday morning of the event. The next portion of the race takes place in the city's south side, heading through streets of the

Kinning Park Kinning Park is a southern suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. It was formerly a separate police burgh between 1871 and 1905 before being absorbed by the city. In 1897, it had a population of 14,326.Govan Parish School Board, ''The Members' Year Book ...

area, and then on paths through

Bellahouston Park Bellahouston Park (Scottish Gaelic: ''Pàirc Bhaile Ùisdean'') is a public park in the Bellahouston district on the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Craigton, Dumbreck, Ibrox and Mosspark covering an area of . The mai ...

and heading back northeast toward

Pacific Quay Pacific Quay is an area south of the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. It is located at the former Plantation Quay and Princes' Dock Basin. The Princes' Dock Basin was the largest on the River Clyde when it was opened by the Clyde Navigation T ...

and the river. The course then crosses the Clyde again, this time on the

Clyde Arc The Clyde Arc (known locally as the Squinty Bridge) is a road bridge spanning the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland, connecting Finnieston near the Clyde Auditorium and SEC with Pacific Quay and Glasgow Science Centre in Govan. Prominent feature ...

. From there runners head west along the river side, past the

Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre The SEC Centre (originally known as the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre until 2017) is Scotland's largest exhibition centre, locate ...

before doubling back around the

Riverside Museum The Riverside Museum (formerly known as the Glasgow Museum of Transport) is a museum in Glasgow, housed in a building at Pointhouse Quay in the Glasgow Harbour regeneration district of Glasgow, Scotland. The building opened in June 2011, winnin ...

to head east along the Clyde, and back through Anderston, with runners entering

Glasgow Green Glasgow Green is a park in the east end of Glasgow, Scotland, on the north bank of the River Clyde. Established in the 15th century, it is the oldest park in the city. It connects to the south via the St Andrew's Suspension Bridge. History I ...

through the McLennan Arch for the finish. The route was changed for the 2013 running – in previous races, runners stayed on the south side after Bellahouston Park, looping through Pollok Country Park and the streets of

Pollokshaws Pollokshaws ( sco, Powkshaws) is an area on the South side of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is bordered by the residential neighbourhoods of Auldhouse to the east, Eastwood and Hillpark to the south and Shawlands to the north, with the Gl ...

and the

Gorbals The Gorbals is an area in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, on the south bank of the River Clyde. By the late 19th century, it had become densely populated; rural migrants and immigrants were attracted by the new industries and employment opportun ...

, and only crossing the Clyde again, on the Alexandra Bridge, just before the entrance to Glasgow Green.

10K course

The 10K course follows the same route as the half marathon for the first , but instead of crossing the Kingston Bridge, runners head west through Anderston and around the Riverside Museum (a section near the end of the half marathon course). The course then crosses the Clyde on the Clyde Arc bridge, loops very briefly through Pacific Quay, and then immediately back over the Clyde Arc. From there it follows the half marathon course along the river's north bank to Glasgow Green. As with the half marathon, the 10K course was adjusted in 2013 to include Finnieston and the SECC area. In previous runnings, the 10K crossed the Clyde on the Kingston Bridge and followed an abbreviated path from Scotland Street, through

Pollokshields Pollokshields ( gd, Buthan Phollaig, Scots: ''Powkshiels'') is an area in the Southside of Glasgow, Scotland. Its modern boundaries are largely man-made, being formed by the M77 motorway to the west and northwest with the open land of Pollok ...

before crossing the Clyde on Victoria Bridge and entering Glasgow Green.

Winners

Half marathon winners

Male

*1991 – 1:04:23 - Dave Lewis *1992 – 1:04:03 - Turube Bedaso *1993 – 1:01:56 -

Mark Flint Mark may refer to: Currency * Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina * East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic * Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927 * Finn ...

*1994 – 1:02:53 -

Joseph Kamau Joseph Kamau (also known as ''Joseph Kamau Njuguna'', b. June 17, 1969) is a former professional long-distance runner from Kenya who finished second in the 1997 Boston Marathon and third in the 1996 New York City Marathon. Professional Caree ...

*1995 – 1:02:46 - Samson Maritim *1996 – 1:02:27 -

Joseph Kibor Joseph Kibor (born 22 December 1972) is a Kenyan runner. At the 1997 World Cross Country Championships he finished seventh in the long race, earning a place on the Kenyan team that won the team competition. Achievements References External ...

*1997 – 1:01:46 -

*1998 – 1:03:00 -

Armando Quintanilla Juan Armando Quintanilla Loredo (born April 19, 1968) is a retired long-distance runner from Mexico, who won two gold medals at the 1995 Pan American Games File:1995 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: O.J. Simpson is O. J. Simpson ...

*1999 – 1:02:36 -

*2000 – 1:02:04 - António Pinto *2001 – 1:03:23 -

Abner Chipu Abner Chipu (born 2 January 1972) is a retired South African long-distance runner. His specialties include Cross, Half Marathon, Marathon, Cross team event and the Half Marathon Team Event. Achievements Personal bests *3000 metres – 8:10.34 m ...

*2002 – 1:03:15 -

Sammy Kipruto Sammy is a nickname, frequently for people named Samuel (name), Samuel, and also an English spelling of the Arabic name Sami_(name), Sami. People Music *Sammy Adams (born 1987), American rapper and songwriter *Sammy Cahn (1913-1993), American so ...

*2003 – 1:01:49 - Peter Kiprotich *2004 – 1:01:48.2 - Peter Kiprotich *2005 – 1:03:02.5 - Jason Mbote *2006 – 1:01:36 - Jason Mbote *2007 – 1:02:42 -

Isaac Wanjohi Isaac; grc, Ἰσαάκ, Isaák; ar, إسحٰق/إسحاق, Isḥāq; am, ይስሐቅ is one of the three patriarchs of the Israelites and an important figure in the Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He was the ...

*2008 – 1:01:10 -

Emmanuel Mutai Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai (born 12 October 1984) is a long distance runner from Kenya, who specialises in marathons. He is now the joint 6th fastest man ever over the 42.195 km distance. Initially running in half marathons, he made his de ...

*2009 – 1:01:19 - Jason Mbote *2010 – 1:01:53 -

Hailu Mekonnen Hailu Mekonnen (born April 4, 1980 in Arsi) is an Ethiopian runner, who specializes in the 5000 metres and cross-country running. His first medals came in 1998, when he took bronze and team gold at the junior race at the IAAF World C ...

*2011 – 1:01:26 - Joseph Birech *2012 – 1:03:14 - Joseph Birech *2013 – 1:01:09 -

Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie ( am, ኀይሌ ገብረ ሥላሴ, ''haylē gebre silassē''; born 18 April 1973) is an Ethiopian retired long-distance track, road running athlete, and businessman. He won two Olympic gold medals and four World Champions ...

*2014 – 1:01:25 -

Stephen Mokoka Stephen Mokoka (born 31 January 1985) is a South African long-distance runner who competes in races ranging from 3000 metres to the 50 km distance. He formerly held the 50 km world record. He is a four-time medalist at the Universiade a ...

*2015 – 1:02:18 - Moses Kipsiro *2016 – 1:00:24 -

*2017 – 1:02:44 - Chris Thompson *2018 – 1:02:07 - Chris Thompson *2019 – 1:01:29 -

Timothy Toroitich Timothy Toroitich (born 10 October 1991) is a Ugandan middle-distance and long-distance runner. He competed in the 10,000 metres event at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics The 2015 IAAF World Championships ( zh, 第十五届世界 ...

Female

*1991 – Andrea Wallace *1992 –

Liz McColgan Elizabeth Nuttall (née Lynch, formerly McColgan; born 24 May 1964) is a Scottish former middle-distance and long-distance track and road-running athlete. She won the gold medal for the 10,000 metres at the 1991 World Championships, and a ...

*1993 – Tatiana Pozdniakova *1994 – Alevtina Naumova *1995 – Firiya Sultanova *1996 – Firiya Sultanova *1997 –

Catherina McKiernan Catherina McKiernan (born 30 November 1969 in Cornafean, County Cavan) is a former long-distance runner from Ireland, who competed in the marathon, 10,000 metres and cross country running. Biography McKiernan has held the Women's national rec ...

*1998 – Firiya Sultanova *1999 –

Joyce Chepchumba Joyce Chepchumba (born 6 November 1970 in Kericho) is a long distance athlete from Kenya. Achievements *1995 ** Tilburg Ten Miles winner ** Parelloop 10Kwinner Arrs.netList of Parelloop winners/ref> *1997 **London Marathon winner *199 ...

*2000 –

*2001 –

*2002 –

*2003 –

Caroline Kwambai Caroline Chepkorir Kwambai (born 9 September 1975) is a Kenyan former long-distance runner who competed in road running competitions. Her greatest international honour was a team gold at the 2001 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, where she f ...

*2004 –

Beatrice Omwanza Beatrice Omwanza (born 24 February 1974) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in marathon and half marathon races. She represented Kenya in the marathon at the World Championships in Athletics in 2003 and 2005. Her personal best for the ...

*2005 – Hiroko Miyauchi *2006 –

Caroline Kilel Caroline Cheptanui Kilel (born 21 March 1981) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in road running Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road. This differs from track and field on a regu ...

*2007 –

Peninah Arusei Peninah Arusei Jerop (born 1 January 1979) is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner who specialises in road running competitions, especially the half marathon. She has represented Kenya at the Olympics, having competed in the 10,000 metres ...

*2008 – Worknesh Tola *2009 –

*2010 –

*2011 – Flomena Chepchirchir *2012 –

Bezunesh Bekele Bezunesh Bekele Sertsu (born 29 January 1983) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who specializes in cross-country running and marathons. Biography She was born in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. She took a number of circuit wins on the ...

*2013 – Susan Partridge *2014 –

Edna Kiplagat Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat (born 15 November 1979) is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner. She was the 2011 and 2013 World Champion in the marathon. She established herself as an elite marathon runner with wins at the Los Angeles and New ...

*2015 –

*2016 – 1:07:22 –

Betsy Saina Betsy Saina (born 30 June 1988) is a Kenyan athlete in long distance running. Early life Saina was born in Kenya on 30 June 1988. She began running as a teenager in Eldoret, Kenya with hopes to pursue education at Itigo Girls High School. Her ...

*2017 – 1:10:17 –

Flomena Cheyech Daniel Flomena Cheyech Daniel (born July 5, 1982 in West Pokot, Kenya) is a Kenyan athlete who competes in long distance and marathon races. She set her personal best of 2:22:44 winning the 2014 Paris Marathon and was a gold medalist at the 2014 Commonw ...

*2018 – 1:09:15 –

Mare Dibaba Mare Dibaba Hurrsa (born 20 October 1989) is an Ethiopian long-distance runner. She won the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing. Dibaba is not related to track Olympic champion and world record holder Tirunesh Dibaba. Biography Her ...

*2019 – 1:07:38 – Edith Chelimo

Wheelchair half marathon winners

Male

*2005 – Kenny Herriot *2008 – Mark Telford *2011 – Ross Low *2012 – Phil Hogg *2014 – Simon Lawson

Female

*2005 –

Tanni Grey-Thompson Carys Davina Grey-Thompson, Baroness Grey-Thompson, (born 26 July 1969), known as Tanni Grey-Thompson, is a Welsh politician, television presenter and former wheelchair racer. Athletic career Grey-Thompson's Paralympic career started in the 1 ...

*2008 – Margo Whiteford *2011 – Jane Egan *2012 –

Meggan Dawson-Farrell Meggan Dawson-Farrell (born 18 September 1992) is a Scottish wheelchair racer. Early life Dawson-Farrell was born with spina bifida and also has the condition hydrocephalus. She was unable to take part in sport at school but began after atten ...

Notes and references

Notes

References

External links

Photo of runners on Kingston Bridge
STV (Scottish Television) website, September 2010{{dead link, date=January 2017
Photo of 1982 Glasgow People's Marathon medal
A History of the World, BBC website Half marathons in the United Kingdom Athletics competitions in Scotland International sports competitions in Glasgow Road running in Scotland 1979 establishments in Scotland Recurring sporting events established in 1979 Annual events in Glasgow Annual sporting events in the United Kingdom Glasgow Green