Sea Of Red

30 MAR2011

Race organisers declared Sunday's Glasgow Running Network's annual 5k Fun Run at Bellahouston Park a huge success after an impressive 780 people signed up for this year's event - an increase of 20% on 2010. The park became a sea of red as the majority of runners took part in their colourful race t-shirts.

At the serious end of the run, Paul Hughes was home first in 18:04 with Leanne Hamilton, first woman in 18.20. The midpoint runner was Fatima Olateju (32:59) and the last finisher was timed at 59:58. However everyone was a winner on a bright spring morning.

As well as being a fun day out for runners, the 5k race represents a key training milestone for those taking part in longer distance races including the 2011 Ignis Asset Management Women's 10k on Sunday 8 May and the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run on Sunday 4 September.

Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor George Redmond, was one of those who pulled on his trainers for the race. He said: "We are striving to encourage people to lead more active lifestyles, so to see so many out there taking part in yesterday's fun run was fantastic. It showed that people in this city have a real appetite to get active.

"In recent years we have seen numbers increase and today set another record with around 780 people taking the 5k challenge. I am sure that it will have inspired others to get training for some of the other fantastic fitness and sports events in the city over the coming months."

Louise Morgan, Physical and Outdoor Activities Officer with the Glasgow Running Network, said: "Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 5k Fun Run. It was great to see so many people and so many smiling faces all around because that is what the day is all about.

"We thought last year's entry numbers were great but this year was even better as we set a new record. Even if you have never run before, 5k is an achievable distance and once again we welcomed runners, joggers and walkers. We are already looking forward to next year when we hope to be even bigger again."