There's no place like city for Great Run

Published on Saturday 1 May 2010 12:02

RUNNERS will be doing their final stretches today in preparation for the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run.

More than 10,000 runners are expected to take part tomorrow, including more than 1,000 youngsters aged between three and 14 participating in the Bupa Mini and Junior Great Edinburgh Runs.

The children will no doubt be amused by ScotRail's answer to The Wizard of Oz, members of staff from the Haymarket Depot who are running in support of World Vision.

Kate Barclay, 35, who will exchange her ruby slippers for a pair of trainers when she runs out as Dorothy tomorrow, said: "This is my first distance event.

"I'd originally taken up running last year, but was finding it hard to motivate myself. Unfortunately I didn't have a wizard to turn to so I turned to my colleague Jim Nicol, who is running as the Scarecrow.

"He suggested taking part in the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run."

The team already sponsor two children – one in Malawi and one in Bolivia – and hope the money they raise, which currently stands at 600, will enable them to continue this.

An Edinburgh mother who almost lost her child when he was just five months old is also running with her family to raise money for her new invention, which she hopes will end the misery of cot death.

Louise Guinda, 32, found son Ali asleep with his nose and mouth blocked by his cot bumper, blue in the face from lack of oxygen.

She said: "I am one of the lucky ones as I managed to revive Ali, but I'll never forget the experience. I want to do all I can to make sure those not so fortunate get all the support they need."

Her Safe Dreams Breathable Cot Wrap will be launched this summer.

She added: "I realised that by roping my whole family into running the race too, our combined effort would raise a lot more money."

Hockey star Graham Moodie will also take on the challenge on Sunday. The 29-year-old, Scottish and British internationalist, said: "I'm not sure how much racing I'll be doing but the 10k is a great way for me to keep fit.

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The elite women start the ball rolling from Holyrood Park at 10:15am, with the elite men and mass runners setting off at 10:35am.

The run will see more than 40 city roads closed. Major roads affected include St Leonard's Street, Pleasance, Cowgate, Grassmarket, Marchmont Road, Potterow, Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, The Mound and Canongate, which will all be completely closed until up to 1:30pm.