10,000 take to streets for Great Edinburgh Run

ELITE athletes were joined by hen parties, Star Wars fans and Elvis impersonators for the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run.

There was a festive atmosphere in the city centre as around 10,000 people took part in the 10k run.

Scottish rugby stars Simon Webster, Gregor Townsend and Ross Rennie started the race on the Meadows, after parading the Calcutta Cup. GMTV presenter Tina Baker was also at the starting line. People travelled from all over the UK, hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charities.

Another 1000 children had already run the Junior Run and Mini Edinburgh Run in the Meadows on Saturday.

Other famous faces taking part in yesterday's race included Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams, EastEnders actress Jane Slaughter, radio DJ Brian Burnett and former Olympic athlete Liz McColgan. Around 60 runners took part dressed as Star Wars characters as the race's slogan was "May the 4th be with you".

There were loud cheers for three firefighters, who ran in full uniform, as they crossed the finishing line. Participants ran past landmarks including Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument.

First to cross the finishing line was Kenyan Bernard Kipyego, who won bronze in the World Cross Country Championships last year. He completed the course in 29 mins 2 secs. He was closely followed by Boniface Kiprop and El Hassan Lahssini.

The women's race was won by Australian former world cross country champion Benita Johnson in 32 mins 20 secs. She was followed by Kenyan Rose Cheruiyot and Hungarian Aniko Kalovics.

Communications manager David Hart said: "Today was just about perfect. We had some really good finishing times in the two elite races. We think the event has the potential to be much bigger.

"We think it could one day have 15,000 or 20,000 runners taking part. It is a great quality event with an incredible backdrop.

"One of the nice things is it's not a very threatening event. It's difficult to come last. We've had a really great atmosphere today, with plenty of entertainment to keep the runners going."

This included bagpipers at each kilometre mark, as well as steel drummers on the route. An Elvis impersonator greeted competitors as they headed towards the finishing line.

After the race, runners lapped up the sunshine in the Meadows and enjoyed a well-earned rest. There were DJs and a big TV screen, as well as climbing walls, tennis and rugby for those who still had energy left.

Among the finishers was 15-year-old Finola Forman, from Leith, who completed the race in her wheelchair with a team of supporters. Her family is raising money to help her attend a residential college for students with special needs in England.

Judi Matheson, 48, a consultant from Trinity who was running with her, said: "We had so much support on the way round. The best thing was, a lot of people knew who Finola was. It was a really great atmosphere."

Five more fundraising events are being planned for the charity, called the Chameleon Challenge with more details at www.fino latrust.co.uk

Pam McGowan, 27, a writer from Restalrig, was taking part in the race for the third time. She said: "I think it gets better and more organised each year. They were staggering the waves of runners this year. The hardest part was going up the hill – but the music did help you keep going. At one point they put Jump! on and that really got you going."

It was an emotional day for some of the runners. Rhian Matthews, 31, a Bank of Scotland employee from Stockbridge was running in memory of her grandmother, who died of cancer two months ago. She said: "She was cared for by Marie Curie nurses, so at the funeral we decided to ask for donations rather than flowers.

"I thought I would run this to raise money for them. I think I've raised between £50 and £100. My gran would be smiling if she could see me."

More than 1000 children aged between three and 14 had already taken part in fun runs on Saturday. Children's TV presenter Angellica Bell was there to support them as they warmed up for the two races round the Meadows.

The younger ones ran 1.4 kilometres, while the nine to 14-year-olds ran 2.4 kilometres.