More than 5000 people have signed up for the Stirling Scottish Marathon and Half Marathon, which will take place on Sunday (April 28), and a fun-packed Family Run.
The marathon and half marathon start and finish in Stirling’s historic city centre, with both races taking in Doune, Dunblane, Bridge of Allan and the University of Stirling, providing magnificent views of some of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks.
The Stirling Marathon will also play host to the Scottish Marathon Championships, with medals up for grabs for individuals and teams with a valid Scottish Athletics membership.
Local runners are also taking up the challenge in the marathon and half marathon to support and inspire their communities, with four of them gathering at the National Wallace Monument earlier today to share their stories*.
Another top-class sporting event
Stirling Council Chief Executive Carol Beattie said: “Excitement is building across Stirling as we gear up for the third instalment of the Stirling Marathon and stage yet another top-class sporting event.
“The reputation of the Stirling Marathon was cemented recently when it was shortlisted for the prestigious Scottish Thistles award, and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of participants and visitors from across the country once again, promoting Stirling as a must-visit destination.
“We would like to wish all the runners the best of luck in the races and hope they enjoy this unique route which takes them through our iconic city, beautiful villages and stunning countryside.”
A great way to kick off the weekend
A weekend of top-class sporting action will get underway on Saturday (27 April) with the Family Run in Kings Park, where over 200 children and parents are expected to tackle the two-lap, 2km course.
Active Stirling has put on a range of free activities for children and families to enjoy alongside the event, with 'come and try it' sports and challenges, including football, netball, basketball, Boccia, a climbing wall and athletics. Entries for the Family Run will still be available on the day.
Bambos Neophytou, Brand Director at Simplyhealth, said: “It's great to be back in Stirling this weekend for the Simplyhealth Great Stirling Family Run, Half Marathon and Marathon. What a great way to kick off the weekend with over 200 children and families being active together as they take on the Simplyhealth Great Stirling Family Run 1k course.
“We know that being more active is really important for leading happier, healthier lives and a vitally important way for people living with or at risk of diabetes to manage their health more effectively.
“That's why we want our partnership with Diabetes UK to drive positive change to peoples' health and well-being, and encourage more people to make healthy choices to reduce the risk of diabetes.
“So, whether our runners are taking part in the family-run or taking on the challenge of the half marathon or marathon, we'll be supporting them every step of the way.”
Provost Christine Simpson will start the marathon and half marathon on Sunday morning (8.30 am).
An event of this magnitude means there will a number of road closures in the area, and letters have been issued to 30,000 residents, businesses and community groups across Stirling.
For more information about the Stirling Scottish Marathon, visit greatrun.org/Stirling
Notes and picture details:
* Chris Turnbull
Chris is raising money for Strathcarron Hospice who supported his Mum and cared for his Dad for five years while he was living with cancer until he sadly passed away in February. The Hospice helped Chris’ dad with pain management and provided a support group where he could connect with others going through the same thing. As his disease progressed he would spend long stretches of time there up until the time he passed away. In the last six weeks of his life, the hospice provided Chris’ mum with invaluable support, with a dedicated member of staff on call 24 hours a day. Chris has raised £4,500 so far to say thank you.
Nicola Beveridge
Nicola holds baby classes for 120 new mums in the Stirling area through her business Baby Central. She supports and empowers women through the experience of becoming a new mum and even offers support to those dealing with Post Natal Depression. She’s never run before but saw women who attended her classes taking part in the event last year and was inspired. She is hoping that she will, in turn, inspire other women to do something for themselves and promote the benefits of exercise in managing mental health issues that may affect new mothers.
Alice Struthers
Is raising money for Port of Menteith Primary School to buy some much needed IT equipment, in the form of Chromebooks. The tiny school has just 5 computers for their 28 pupils, limiting the opportunity the children have to use computers, learn how to use a keyboard and mouse, and gain basic IT literacy skills. Alice would like every child in the school to have access to a shared Chromebook, but more realistically, she’s aiming to fund 5, doubling the tally of computers in the school.
Barry Hughes
Barry is the new minister at Raploch Church in the shadow of Stirling Castle. He is running on Sunday to inspire his congregation and also to raise funds for the Beaver Scouts group he founded recently. His parish covers areas dealing with economic deprivation and he wanted to give young people in the area more options for their free time. With 15 members aged 6-8 attending already, he is hoping the Raploch Scout Colony will grow to include Cubs and Scouts in the future.
Picture shows (From left) runners Chris Turnbull, Nicola Beveridge, Barry Hughes and Alice Struthers at the Wallace Monument ahead of Sunday’s Simplyhealth Great Stirling Run