Great Edinburgh Run: Crowds gather to watch as over 8000 competitors take to Capital streets

The pair each finished  second in the Elite Mens and Womens races as over 8000 runners took to the Capital’s streets in glorious autumn sunshine yesterday.

England’s Tom Humphries won the Men’s race with Jess Coulson first to break the tape in the Women’s event. Humpries was made to fight every inch of the way in the last three kilometres by Lemoncello, producing a late sprint to win the 10km encounter by a second in a time of 29 minutes 23 seconds. Derek Hawkins took third  position in 30:14.

Coulson’s victory was much more decisive, breaking away from hometown girl Murray-Ross – who was married just last week – at the halfway point to cross the line in  33:12.

Cheered on by thousands of her fellow Scots, Freya clocked 33:48 with Elspeth Curran third in 35:45.

This year has proved a whirlwind for the 29-year-old Edinburgh AC athlete, in the summer she was drafted in as a late Olympic Marathon replacement for the injured Paula Radcliffe and following her wedding last week delayed her honeymoon in the USA to take part in her home city race.

She said: “I really enjoyed the run, even if the hill at the start was pretty tough. It made my day to get out and enjoy the scenery and the crowds, “I’m going off to San Francisco tomorrow morning and touring California before returning and starting preparations for the World Championships in Moscow next summer.”

Hometown girl Freya also revealed her love for the city when she said: “Edinburgh’s a special place for me. I’m living in Newcastle at the moment but we’re about to move back up. Then I can run around Arthur’s Seat as often as I like.”

In the men’s race, fellow Scot Lemoncello did well to stay with Humphries who charged off from the start to open a ten-metres lead over the challenging course.

He said: “I kept going at my pre-planned pace and managed to get alongside him before he snatched the win. But I’m more than happy.

The day started with the now well established Bupa Great Edinburgh 5k, before thousands of runners converged on the start line in Holyrood Park for their chance to take to the streets on the newly re-routed, scenic 10k course.

A couple of well known faces took part in the event for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. John Michie, who currently plays Karl Monroe in Coronation Street and Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in Emmerdale, joined their fellow runners at the start. Fresh from his duties as honorary starter of the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run, Michelin Star Chef Tom Kitchin and his team from The Kitchin took part in the Business  Challenge aspect of the event.