• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

ON YOUR MARKS FOR 10K RUN AT FUN DAY GET IN THE RUNNING Women's Race Launches With Special Free All-Day Event at Buchanan Galleries

Posted on: Wednesday, 11 January 2006, 18:00 CST

By Ann Fotheringham

The Women's 10K is back - and this year it's going to be bigger than ever with organisers hoping for a record 17,000 runners at the May event. ANN FOTHERINGHAM reports on the countdown to the big race - and very special event to launch it

IT'S time to dig out your trainers and hit the road - the Britannic Asset Management Women's 10K is back . . . and organisers are aiming for a record-breaking 17,000 runners - 2000 more than last year.

A total of 14,512 women entered the event in 2005, confirming it as the largest all-women 10K in the UK.

And organisers Glasgow City Council, in conjunction with partsponsors Buchanan Galleries, will launch the race in style at the mall tomorrow Thursday - and everyone's invited!

There will be experts on hand to give free advice to wannabe runners from 9am to 8pm and answer your questions.

TV presenter Carol Smillie will officially get things started at around 10.30am outside the Bear Factory shop on the centre's first floor.

There will even be a treadmill women can try out before committing themselves to the race.

But the beauty of the race is that you don't have to be an athlete to take part.

From busy mums to businesswomen, from pensioners to students, anyone with a bit of enthusiasm and the proper training can join in what is a fantastic, fun event.

And don't let the t-word put you off - training does not mean pounding the treadmill for three hours a day, or running to Falkirk and back.

Simple, easy schedules combining walking and running, plus proper warm-ups and cool-downs, are all you need - so even if you are a beginner, you can still do the 10K.

This year's run, which marks the 10th anniversary of sponsorship from financial company Britannic Asset Management, will take place on Sunday, May 21.

Jonathan Polin, sales and marketing director at Britannic Asset Management, said:

"This is the 10th anniversary of Britannic Asset Management's sponsorship of the 10K and we are delighted with the continued success of the race and our long and happy association with Glasgow City Council.

"This is a landmark year for our company, represented by our name change to Resolution Asset Management at the beginning of May.

"I'm delighted that so many women will be taking up the challenge and raising money for local charities in this year's race."

The Evening Times is media partner once again, and we'll bring you all the information you'll need to join in over the coming weeks, plus on-theday coverage and of course, the full list of runners after the event.

Millions of pounds have been raised for charity from the run, which is now in its 14th year.

A huge assortment of good causes, including the Evening Times Maggie's Centre and Magic Million appeals, have benefited from the kindness of runners.

TV presenter Carol Smillie will be urging people to run for a good cause.

"I think the Glasgow women's 10K is a great thing to take part in and the resulting funds that are raised for charity for something like Yorkhill, is fantastic too, " she said.

"We all have good intentions about giving money to charity but for whatever reason not a lot of us get around to doing it. The 10K is a good incentive to raise lots of money for charity and to get fit at the same time. And although I'm not running I will be sponsoring my friends who are."

In 2003, Evening Times readers supporting our Magic Million Appeal raised GBP91,000 by taking part in the Women's 10K and the Great Scottish Run.

Carol added: "I live right on the path of the 10K route, literally right on the path of the runners and I love watching them, and the crowds who line the route to cheer them on.

SHE added with a laugh: "I'm not a runner and, when I'm watching, people always yell out that I should be running too, but I prefer to walk the dog and go ice skating to keep fit.

"The 10K always has a great atmosphere, with people laying out stalls for drinks for the runners and supporting them and cheering them on. It's great for the community, for the sisterhood and those who run have a fantastic time.

"Some people dress up and have fun, and there are women of all ages, shapes and sizes and ethnic backgrounds and that's what makes it so good, anyone can can take part and join in the fun and raise money for good causes."

And she laughed: "I'm happy supporting from the sidelines - but please don't shout at me to join in!"

Every year the Physical and Outdoor Activity Team organises a pre 10K Pasta Party and two-mile fun run. Following the fun run, all entrants can enjoy tasty food and drink and prepare themselves for the big 10K with free massage, expert advice and by chatting to other runners.

The Pasta Party takes place on Wednesday, May 17 at the Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green. Register at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

It costs GBP8.50 or GBP8 for Glasgow Women's Jogging Network members.

For more information phone 0141 287 5079 or visit www. run. glasgow. gov. uk Details of how to enter the big race are published below - and there is no time like the present!

The Women's 10K is a fantastic way to get fit, boost your health and have fun at the same time - and as countless runners will testify, there is nothing quite like that sense of achievement when you cross the finishing line!

TIMESFILE

Around GBP11million has been raised by fun-runners for charity, right, since the race began.

When the 10K was launched in 1993, 800 women took part. Last year, there were almost 15,000.

Kenya's Lornah Kiplagat has won the last six races.

Kiplagat's time last year was 31mins 44 secs. It took 34mins for everyone to start, so she had crossed the finish line before the last women had started the race.

Last year, Glasgow girl Susan Partridge was the first Scot to finish for the third year in a row, with a time of 34mins 57secs.

More than 30,000 spectators lined the route in 2005 - which begins and ends in Bellahouston Park.

WHAT'S ON AT BUCHANAN GALLERIES

CAROLE SMILLIE launches this year's 10K at Buchanan Galleries tomorrow at 10.30am.

Experts will be on hand throughout the day, from 9am-8pm, to advise on how to get started, the changes you can make to your diet to make a difference, and what to wear.

Jane Damer, of Glasgow Women's Jogging Network, and her team of seasoned runners, will be able to answer all your questions.

"The Network launches its 14-week crash course for beginners, or women returning to running, in January, and it's a great way to train for the 10K, " says Jane.

So make tracks for the first floor of Buchanan Galleries, just outside The Bear Factory, where you can sign up for the race, and for the Jogging Network. There will also be film of last year's run so you can see what you are letting yourself in for.

And there's a treadmill for you to try, so bring your trainers if you fancy a go.

ENTER NOW - AND SAVE MONEY

It costs GBP16.50 to enter the 10K if you get your application in by March 24 (GBP14.50 if a Scottish Athletics Federation affiliated runner).

After March 24, entry costs GBP20 and GBP18 respectively, until the closing date of May 5.

If you enter both the 10K and the Fresh 'n' Lo Great Scottish Run 10K, which is on September 3, you can save GBP5.

To enter both races costs GBP28 (GBP24 if an SAL affiliated runner) before March 24, and GBP35 and GBP31 after that.

Application forms for the Britannic Asset Management Women's 10K are available from the race hotline 0845 270 0166 or from leisure centres, pools, libraries and Glasgow City Council venues.

You can enter online at www. run. glasgow. gov. uk, which contains full race and training information including a programme for beginners, advice on healthy eating, charities, the route, results and pictures from last year.

If you don't want to run on your own - and it's not advisable, particularly after dark - you can join the Women's Jogging Network, which has trained coaches at 10 venues across the city.

The Women's Jogging Network have courses suitable for women of all ages and for both beginners and more experienced joggers. Call 0141 287 5079 for further information.

Source: Evening Times; Glasgow (UK)

More News in this Category