Kids inaugurate Great Scottish Run in Glasgow

THOUSANDS of children and their families have donned their trainers and taken to the streets of Glasgow for the opening day of the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run.

Children take part in the schools challenge before tomorrow's main event. Picture: John Devlin

More than 3,000 people took part in four events across Super Saturday, which saw young runners getting involved in Scotland’s biggest mass participation event.

Team Scotland middle distance runner Laura Muir and Councillor Archie Graham started the 2.5k Junior Run for young club runners.

The event resulted in Eilish Gibson of Kilbarchan AAC winning the junior girls (12-15) title, Lewis Ross of Ayr Seaforth AAC clinching the junior boys top spot, Emma Johnson of Edinburgh Athletic Club coming first in the junior girls (9-11) race and Ethan McGlen of Gateshead Harriers coming first in race for boys aged 9-11.

The junior runners at today's Great Scottish Run. Picture: John Devlin

The wheelchair junior event was won by Kyle Brotherton, who retained his title from last year.

Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medallist Moses Kipsiro started the first wave of the Family Mile, while Kenya’s Japheth Korir and Team Australia’s Collis Birmingham started off the second group of family fun runners.

The Toddler Dash was started by reigning Great Scottish Run champion Edna Kiplagat, and saw over 300 youngsters take on the 100m challenge.

Andy Mitchelmore, of event organisers the Great Run Company, said: “Super Saturday gives younger runners the chance to be part of Scotland’s biggest running event, and to have over 3,000 join us today is fantastic.

Children took part in the schools challenge before tomorrow's adults take to the roads in Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

“It’s great to see George Square packed with excited kids taking part and enjoying sport, not to mention all the parents, grandparents, friends and families lining the routes to support them.

“Seeing elite athletes like Moses Kipsiro and Edna Kiplagat will hopefully inspire the kids to continue running, and maybe one day take part in our 10k and half marathon events in the years to come - we might even have a baby Bolt or a junior Jess Ennis in our midst.”

Sunday’s Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run event will feature the 10k and half marathon, where almost 25,000 are expected to take part across both distances.