Nostalgia: Edinburgh runs

MORE than 2000 runners stampeded through the Old Town in September 1985 in what was a low turnout for a marathon in Edinburgh.

Organisers blamed an increasingly busy long-distance diary for marathon fanatics and laid down plans to change its date for the following year.

If they thought the calendar was hectic then, these days barely a weekend goes by without an endurance epic of some kind.

Tomorrow marks the turn of the Great Edinburgh Run, while the launch event took place earlier this week for next year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Around 5000 runners will step quickly to the beat of bands at various stages along the course.

Not all runners take it too seriously, with fancy dress often the order of the day. Superman was out in force in September 1983 to raise money for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

The same charity benefitted a year later no doubt thanks to the promotional efforts of Alma the pink elephant, which was flanked by superheroes Margaret Robertson and Ronnie Sloan and their friends at Meadowbank Stadium ahead of the Waverley Market 
Marathon.

At the time, it was the most popular race ever held in Edinburgh, with more than 6000 entries received.

Determined young runners pounded the Pleasance as they jostled for pole position during the Arthur Seat Race in October 1968.