Great Stirling Run

Great Stirling Run
Date April
Location Stirling, UK
Event type Road
Distance Marathon Half Marathon
Established 2017
Organizer Great Run
Official site www.greatrun.org

The Great Stirling Run, styled as the Simplyhealth Great Stirling Run for sponsorship purposes and formerly known as the Stirling Scottish Marathon, is a long-distance running event held in Stirling, Scotland. The first event was held on May 21, 2017, with 2018's event taking place on April 29. From 2018, the event introduced a half marathon alongside the existing marathon.[1]

Overview

The event was created by the Great Run Company, organisers of the Great North Run and Great Manchester Run. The ambition is for the Stirling Scottish Marathon to become the leading marathon in the country within three years.[2]

Course

The marathon course takes in a route through much of rural Stirlingshire. Starting in the city centre, the route covers Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan before completing a circuit of the University of Stirling, past the Wallace Monument and along Hillfoots Road, through Blairlogie at the foot of the imposing Dumyat cliff, then back into the city centre [3]. In 2017, the event started in Blair Drummond Safari Park.

The half marathon course starts in the city centre and follows the reverse of the marathon route, including the city centre section before picking up the picturesque Blairlogie and Dumyat section of the course, heading back into the city alongside the marathon runners.

Both events feature a city-centre finish in King's Park.

2017 Event

More than 6,500 runners signed up for the first-ever marathon which was won by Andrew Lemoncello in a time of 2.25.01.[4] Former athletes Liz McColgan and Zola Budd took part in the marathon,[5] with Zola over the line first in 3.12.24, finishing as ninth female, and Liz not far behind in 3.18.33.

2018 Event

Following the success of the 2017 event, the event organisers listened to feedback from runners and revealed that the 2018 event will feature a new course and will take place a month earlier than the 2017 edition. The 2018 Stirling Scottish Marathon was launched by 2016 Olympic marathon runner Derek Hawkins.[6] Outlander star Sam Heughan took part in the marathon as part of his My Peak Challenge charity fundraising efforts in 2018, breaking his personal best in the process. A half marathon distance was added.

2019 Event

The event was renamed Simplyhealth Great Stirling Run, forming part of the Great Run Series of events and will take place on April 28, 2019

References

  1. ↑ "Thousands Take On Stirling's Marathon Weekend". www.greatrun.org. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  2. ↑ Fairnie, Robert (25 May 2016). "Stirling will welcome major marathon event next year to kick-start new series". dailyrecord.
  3. ↑ "Organisers release new route for Stirling Marathon - Central FM". Central FM. 2 October 2017.
  4. ↑ "Running legends Liz McColgan and Zola Budd took part in the marathon, with Zola over the line first in 3.12.24, finishing as ninth female, and Liz not far behind in 3.18.33".
  5. ↑ "Liz McColgan and Zola Budd return to run in Scotland - Athletics Weekly". Athletics Weekly. 20 May 2017.
  6. ↑ Fairnie, Robert (4 September 2017). "Stirling Marathon set to return to city for second year - with brand new route". dailyrecord.
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