Record numbers join race day

A RECORD number of competitors braved sub-zero temperatures to take part in the 2008 Bupa Great Winter Run.

Around 2300 people completed the 5km run around a frost- covered Arthur's Seat on Saturday, with several hundred children taking part in the Tesco Junior Great Winter Run.

Gritters were out in force on the course before the event to ensure the road was clear for competitors, and a small section of the cross country course that had been planned for the junior run was removed for safety reasons because of the hard ground.

Holyrood Park also hosted some of the world's top athletes – such as Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele – in the Bupa Great Edinburgh International Cross Country race.

But the biggest cheers came for the thousands taking part in the amateur race, with runners raising thousands for charities.

Before setting off, competitors were encouraged to take part in a warm-up at the start line in front of the Scottish Parliament.

There was a marked absence of fancy dress, with most people preferring to wear tracksuits and gloves to keep the cold out, although one runner donned a clown suit.

Medical staff said there were no serious injuries despite the conditions, although they said a few people had pulled out because of the cold. The race winner was Lewis Miller, 23, a site manager with Cala Homes at Fettes, who completed the course in just over 16 minutes.

Afterwards the runner, from Stirling, who won the race two years ago, admitted the cold had made things tougher this time.

He said: "It was incredibly cold, so I just thought the faster I go, the faster I will be finished. It's not too bad for the runners, although the cold air going into your lungs can make it pretty tough, particularly in the uphill sections."

He added: "I was really pleased with my time though, and I think it's been a great event."

Jennifer Griggs, the event manager of the Bupa Great Winter Run, said organisers were delighted to get a record number of competitors for the event.

"Considering how cold it was we were delighted to get so many people along to take part and we hope they have all had a fun day and a good run," she said.

"The weather has not caused us too many problems.

"Edinburgh City Council have been incredibly helpful again, and they had the gritters out on the course a few times in the morning to make sure it was OK for the runners.

"Other than that it has been perfect conditions, especially considering the strong winds and rain we had last year."