Royal Seal of Approval for Edinburgh 10k

21 JAN2010

Thousands of runners will this year cross the forecourt of the historic Palace of Holyrood House during the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run on Sunday May 2. By kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen, the route of the 2010 Bupa Great Edinburgh Run will pass across the forecourt of Her official Scottish residence just before runners reach the finish line of the 10k course.

The event, which is once again expected to attract more than 10,000 runners of all abilities to the city, will begin and end within sight of the Palace in the ground of Holyrood Park. Andy Mitchelmore, Senior Events Manager for organisers Nova International, said:

“The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run is already widely recognised as one of the world’s most scenic 10k events. The route has always taken runners past most of the city’s most famous landmarks but being able to actually run through the grounds of the Palace of Holyrood House makes this years course extra special. We hope this encourages more people to participate.
“We appreciate a number of runners will be focused on smashing personal bests and will have eyes only for the finishing line, but we’re sure they’ll appreciate the significance of passing through the grounds and we would like to thank Her Majesty for making this possible.”

More than 10,000 runners signed up for last year’s event, making it the biggest in The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run’s history.

Mitchelmore added: “The run continues to grow in line with our ambitions. The atmosphere at the start line was electric last year and we hope to create an even bigger buzz come May.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “The route for the Great Edinburgh Run just gets better and better and ensures that fans of the course are excited and challenged by it year after year.

“The city of Edinburgh has one of the most distinctive and beautiful landscapes in the world and offers unrivalled terrain for runners of all abilities, from novices looking to get fit to world class athletes such as those who competed in the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country earlier this month. Taking the race through the grounds of Holyrood Palace is yet another innovation for the route and will ensure a truly memorable event for those competing and also for those watching the action live on Channel Five.”

Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the City of Edinburgh, said: “The Great Edinburgh Run is a fantastic event with an electric atmosphere for runners and spectators alike. Taking in some of Edinburgh’s best-loved and most iconic landmarks, the race can surely stake a claim to having one of the most spectacular sporting-event backdrops in the world.”

The Bupa Great Edinburgh Run also includes the Bupa Junior and Mini Great Edinburgh Run which also take place on Sunday May 2.

For further information and to enter the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run visit www.greatrun.org