Medals unveiled for this year's Great Scottish Run
There are just six weeks to go until the runners take to the streets of Glasgow
Last updated 30th Aug 2024
With just over 6 weeks to go until the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run comes to Glasgow, the medals for each of the distances have been revealed.
It is the 34th year of the race, set to be the biggest event yet, with 30,000 participants preparing to take on the 10k or the half marathon on October 6.
This year’s medals have been designed with Scotland’s history and heritage in mind, as well as a special nod to how far each runner went.
The Great Run Company’s Jane Thwaites said: “Both the medals have a lovely, beautiful, outlined border, and it’s styled with a little twist to celebrate the traditional Celtic knot.
“On the back of the 10k medal there’s ten lines, and on the back of the half marathon there’s 13 lines, to kind of remind the runners, how many kilometres or miles they’ve ran on race day.”
The runners will be cheered on by supporters, and bagpipers from Clanadonia marking every mile before they head to the finish at Glasgow Green.
Many of them will be taking part for charities, including Claire Barker, who will be taking part for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, after her husband was able to access a new drug which she says saved his life.
She’s stressing how important fundraising can be: “I think now, especially for young kids that are growing up, these drugs are open to them, whereas years and years ago, these kinds of drugs weren’t open to young ones.
“It’s really, really important, every little bit helps to add to the cause.”
Andrew Tomlinson, who has hemiplegic cerebral palsy is hoping to make road races more accessible for people with disabilities.
He said: “I think what’s important for people with cerebral palsy, and disabilities in general, is that running is one of the most inclusive sports ever, there’s loads of support, everyone in my club has supported me and everything I’ve done for the past three or four years.
He added: “Running’s for everyone, and I think the great thing about running in general, it doesn’t matter if you’re Eilish McColgan or a tail runner, there’s a place for everyone, whether you’re disabled, whether you’re just starting out, an old veteran from 18 to 80, and you meet so many people along the way.”
Jane Thwaites finished by saying: “Race day is so cool, the atmosphere, all the Glaswegians out on the street and the support is incredible, so just have fun, don’t take it too seriously, make sure you train but there’s absolutely no pressure, and that finish line feeling is honestly unmatchable.”