Stirling set to host 6,500 runners at city's first-ever marathon

The first-ever Stirling Scottish Marathon is set to get underway on Sunday as Olympic legends gathered to promote the event.

Former world champion Liz McColgan-Nuttall is among around 6,500 competitors who will take on the 26 mile course, which kicks off at Blair Drummond Safari Park at 9am.

The 52-year-old retired in 1996, but said she felt compelled to take part in the historic run and joined fellow Olympian Zola Pieterse at Stirling Castle for an official announcement.

McColgan-Nuttall said: “It’s the first marathon to be put back on the calendar in Scotland for the Great Run series, and I thought it was really important for me to come back and be part of it.

“I think it’s really important for us to have this calibre of athletics and it also gives everybody the opportunity to run in a well-organised event.”

The Scots athlete scooped Commonwealth gold on two occasions across an impressive career which also included a silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

A foot injury forced her into retirement but now she hopes the Stirling Marathon will encourage more people to get their running shoes on.

She added: “When I used to run there was mass participation and we need to get those numbers back.

“There’s no reason for us to go down to other countries when we have this kind of scenery – we just need the sponsors and the events built up.”

Competing alongside the former track heroes is visually impaired runner Jay Semple from Glasgow, who is hoping to raise money for eye treatment.

The Knightswood local is aided by a running guide and is taking on his first marathon, but revealed he plans to make it the first of many.

He said: “I’ve signed up for almost all the Great Runs and I’m just looking forward to taking part.

“My aim is to get to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics as a visually impaired runner.”

The course is organised by the Great Run company and is set to take a route through Dunblane, Doune, Bridge of Allan and the University of Stirling before finishing underneath the ramparts at Stirling Castle.

Mark Hollinshead, the organisation’s CEO, is confident the marathon will give the entire city a boost.

He said: “The new slogan for Stirling – ‘Alive with Scotland’ – is very apt for the marathon because it will bring the city alive.

“People can spectate or run, businesses will benefit from increased tourism, hotel rooms are full – it really helps the whole community.”

As well as the marathon, young athletes will compete in the Thistles Great Stirling Family Run on Saturday, while the Great Stirling 5k will feature 500 runners competing in the city centre on Sunday.