Mascots in training for annual race ahead of new season

SOME of Scotland's finest mascots have been put through their paces ahead of the Scottish football season kick off on Saturday.

Mascots are put through their paces. Picture: John Devlin

They started their training with the help of the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run and the team from Goals Soccer Centres at Shawlands, Glasgow.

The Super Mascot Five were Broxi Bear (Rangers FC), Claret and Amber (Motherwell FC), Kingsley (Partick Thistle FC), and BBC Children in Need’s Pudsey Bear, who are all hoping to take part in the annual Mascot race as part of the Super Saturday event programme.

As well as helping the mascots hone their soccer skills, the Goals Soccer Centres staff were also getting their training up to speed as they get ready to swap football boots for running shoes.

Staff from their head office in East Kilbride and from their two centres in Glasgow, are taking part in the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run Business Challenge. Their aim is to raise as much money as they can for BBC Children in Need - which got a big thumbs up from mascot, Pudsey Bear.

It’s a challenge any organisation can sign up to, whether your trade is in football, food or banking.

All you need is a few willing people and everyone will benefit. Teamwork increases motivation, encourages friendly rivalry, makes running fun and gives support when the going gets tough.

Scotland’s biggest weekend of running, which this year will be staged on the 1st and 2nd October, will feature up to 30,000 runners of all ages and abilities across the Super Saturday family events, the 10k and half marathon, with and the half marathon televised live on BBC Scotland.

There are options to run 10K or to stretch to the half marathon route which covers 13.1 miles. Teams can be a mix of men and women, with a minimum of four people and a maximum of eight.

Starting at George Square in the heart of Glasgow, the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run sees runners follow the iconic 10k and half marathon routes through the city before they enter Glasgow Green and reach the tree lined finish straight in the shadow of Nelson’s Monument.

Bill Gow, Finance Director at Goals Soccer Centres, said, “We are delighted to be supporting BBC Children in Need through the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run Business Challenge. The run will give our staff the chance to test their fitness out on the open roads instead of in our 5-a-side arenas.

“The team challenge aspect is a great incentive to get the miles in the legs. We are a competitive bunch at Goals and I’ve been assured that everyone has been training hard. But whether we finish first or last, it is ultimately about the charities, and we hope that lots of money is raised by the teams taking part in the Business Challenge and those running as individuals.”

Andy Mitchelmore, from the event organisers the Great Run Company, said, “We would encourage all businesses to sign up to The bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run Business Challenge on Sunday 2nd October.

“Using an event as big as The Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run as a focus is a great way for groups of colleagues to get fit and healthy as well as providing an ideal opportunity to raise money for charity.

“Participants can run, jog or walk the course and with two months until the big day there is plenty of time to train - even if you’ve never tackled a 10k or half-marathon before.

“The Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run has something for everyone – from Olympian’s and club runners at the front of the half-marathon to the youngest runners in the Toddler Dash on Super Saturday.

“We look forward to welcoming the teams from Goals Soccer Centres along with over 32,000 other runners to Glasgow in October.”

Alasdair Gardner, Bank of Scotland Regional Managing Director, Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “Bank of Scotland is delighted to continue supporting the Great Scottish Run for an 8th consecutive year.

“The Business Challenge offers local businesses and organisations the opportunity to get involved in what promises to be a challenging but fun and worthwhile event.

“It is a wonderful chance to help the Group deliver its commitment to help Scotland prosper by raising funds for charity.  All of our clients are offered the opportunity to enter the Business Challenge and we are delighted that Goals Soccer Centre have signed up and have chosen to run for our charity of the year, BBC Children in Need. We’re looking forward to seeing them on the start line.”

Jonathan Rigby, Director of Marketing and Fundraising, BBC Children in Need, added: “From experienced long distance runners to first timers taking on a challenge thank you to all of those who are set to take part in the Great Scottish Run, the support we have received so far has been fantastic.

“Whether you sign up for the 10k, family run, half marathon or a business challenge, every mile ran and penny donated will go towards helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.”

Bank of Scotland has sponsored the event for eight years and this will be their second year with BBC Children in Need as its chosen Charity of the Year.

For more information and to enter the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run 10k or half marathon visit www.greatscottishrun.com

You can follow the event on Twitter @GreatScotRun using #greatscottishrun or on Facebook by searching Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run.

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