The streets of Aberdeen were awash with colour yesterday as thousands of runners pounded their way through the city centre in the second Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run.
Enthusiastic spectators turned out in the morning rain to cheer on the 5,500 runners who were taking part in the 10km and half marathon events which followed traffic-free routes through the most scenic and historic areas of the city.
Brig o’Balgownie, King’s College at Old Aberdeen, Marischal College and the Art Gallery in the city centre, were among the landmarks along the way.
All of the events, including the one-mile Family Run, finished on Union Street in the heart of the city centre where the crowds were at their biggest.
Love was in the air at the front of the 10km field, as Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist Robbie Simpson and his partner Virginie Barrand took the top spots in the men’s and women’s races.
Robbie Simpson barely had time to catch his breath after completing the 10km before jogging over to the half marathon where he fulfilled the role of official starter.
In the half marathon, Kristian Jones won the men’s race in 66 minutes 35 seconds and Sheena Logan from Fife Athletics Club was the first female over the finish line in 81 minutes 56 seconds.
Families and young runners clearly enjoyed the Family Run in the afternoon as more than 300 people completed the one-mile route around the city centre.
Runners from all over Scotland took part, and Gladys Glennon, 66, from Orkney had even more cause for celebration as she crossed the finish line of the 10km. Ms Glennon was running with Deborah Scott, whom she met whilst undergoing cancer treatment last year.
She said: “I wanted to give something back to Clan who helped me so much last year. I’ve been given the all-clear and I’m fine now.”
Aberdeen City Council’s leader Jenny Laing helped start the half-marathon and later said: “This is a fantastic event and really lets us showcase Aberdeen. It’s great to see so many people braving the rain to come and show their support.”
Kerry Simpson, communications manager at The Great Run Company, said: “The second staging of the Simplyhealth Great Aberdeen Run was yet another celebration in the city, with people from across the UK taking on their own personal challenge.
“We witnessed some outstanding times from the elite runners and many inspiring performances from thousands of others, including the spectators, who braved the morning showers to come out and support in the city centre and along the route.”
A reminder service is now open for next year’s event, to sign up visit: www.greatrun.org/Aberdeen
Did you take part in the race? Can you spot yourself in our gallery?
