More than 4,500 people have taken part in the Paisley 10k and 3k Fun Run, a new record for the popular event.
The race is organised by OneRen – the Renfrewshire charity which provides cultural, leisure and sporting opportunities to help people enjoy active and healthy lives – and supported by Renfrewshire Council and Kilbarchan Amateur Athletics Club.
The Paisley 10k is Scotland’s third largest road race. The 10k attracted 3,953 participants with 1,602 signed up for the fun run; a total of 4,555 runners, an increase of 1,000 on last year’s numbers.
The runners were cheered on by thousands of supporters who lined the streets of Paisley, as participants enjoyed good weather as well as taking in the town’s famous landmarks.
Former Olympic distance runner and local track hero, Derek Hawkins, was one of the official race starters. He said: “The Paisley 10k is one of the biggest in Scotland and it’s great to see record numbers out racing at various levels.”
Derek, who won the race in 2012, added: “It’s truly inspirational and an amazing atmosphere. The most important thing is to get some enjoyment from it, whatever goal you are trying to achieve – and so many are making that happen today.”
In the men’s race, just nine seconds separated the top two athletes. The Paisley 10k Race men’s winner was Jamie Burns, from Shettleston Harriers with a time of 30 minutes and 13 seconds. Second place in the men’s race went to Scott Stirling, from Falkirk Victoria Harriers, with a time of 30 minutes 22 seconds and third was Seyd Taha Ghafari from Shettleston Harriers with a time of 30 minutes 26 seconds.
The women’s 10k Race winner was Nynke Mulholland from Inverclyde Athletics Club with a time of 35 minutes 39 seconds. Second was Rosa Donaldson, from Bellahouston Harriers, with a time of 36 minutes 29 seconds and third was Sarah Dempsey, from Kilbarchan Amateur Athletics Club, with a time of 36 minutes 41 seconds.
Nynke, 32, was thrilled with her win, after finishing in second place last year. She said: “It’s an amazing course and there’s always sights to look at, but it was really windy, so I was sheltering behind some of the guys from my team. That said,I knew that I was holding it together and in with a chance of the win.
“My friend beat me last year, so it was great to come back and get the win.”
Many of the fun runners were raising money for charities, good causes and local sports clubs.
Also taking part was Dr Julie McElroy, who uses a frame to assist her running endeavours. Julie took part in the Paisley 10k for the first time last year, using it as a platform to go on to race in the London Marathon. Julie completed the course, alongside fellow runners from the Victoria Park Athletic Club and said the event has been ‘integral’ in her pathway to beating her own disability barriers.
She said: “Seven years ago, I had my independence, freedom and physical agility taken away from me in an instant from a traumatic accident. I was scared of coming back out and getting involved in sports again. I joined my local running club, and haven’t looked back since. It has been a game changer to how far I can take frame running into roads running events.”
Dr Victoria Hollows, Chief Executive of race organisers, OneRen, said: “The Paisley 10k and Fun Run is one of Renfrewshire’s biggest outdoor participation events and I’m delighted that more people than ever before have taken part, all cheered on by their family and friends.
“There is a lot of sweat and hard work, but real joy too when runners cross the finish line and it was fantastic to see so many runners of all ages and abilities taking part and well done to them for not only running on the day, but for their dedication and time they put in training for the races.
“I want to thank all of the OneRen staff, volunteers and our partners, not least Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland and our supporters at Kilbarchan AAC, who came together to make this event one of Scotland’s best 10k events.”
