Glasgow Men's 10K

Credit : GSI Events Thousands of men will gather on the banks of the Clyde this June to take part in the 12th annual Glasgow Men’s 10K. Taking place on Sunday 18th June, Father’s Day, the annual event attracts in the region of 4,000 runners – 40% of which have never taken part in a 10K before. For over a decade, the event has been a focal point for raising awareness around men’s health issues, touching the lives of over 40,000 men. One competitor taking part this year is Chris Quinn, a 50 year old NHS worker from Hillington, who has ran in the last five races. Chris currently volunteers for the Beatson Cancer Charity and will run to raise funds for a friend’s seven year old daughter, who has a rare genetic condition called Bohring-Opitz. Explaining his passion for the race, Chris said: “The Glasgow Men’s 10K is such a huge part of the running year for many guys in Glasgow and beyond. I have done the race five times and I can’t praise it highly enough. “It was the first 10K I ever did and I still use it as a benchmark for my personal best times. The first time, I ran one hour and two minutes, the following year was one hour and one second. In my third though, I smashed the time, coming in at just over 58 minutes. “I see myself being the kind of runner that benefits from this event – slightly overweight, occasional runner and not part of a club. Now it is back, I am going to start training and aim for 55 minutes to try and beat my personal best time.” As is traditional, the event will take place on Father’s Day, with the fantastic city centre route starting at Riverside Museum and finishing in George Square. Neil Kilgour of Event Director said: "After such a successful event this year, Men’s 10K Glasgow is back for 2017 and we’re hoping that more men will take part than ever before. Running a 10K is a great challenge for anyone whether they are just starting out or already take part in regular sport. The benefits of exercise are universally accepted, but in the UK, we quite simply don’t do enough of it. “Every runner taking part in the Men’s 10K can expect a taste of that brilliant, supportive atmosphere. So we say to Scotland’s men stop saying “I could” “maybe” and “I might”: take control of your life and create some positive change”. Entries for the Men’s 10K Glasgow event are now open at www.mens10k.com. Entries are also open for the Edinburgh event which takes place on Sunday 6th November this year.

Credit : GSi Events Ltd Thousands of men created a positive impact of their health and wellbeing by taking to the streets of Glasgow for the 11th Men’s 10K on Father’s Day this morning. The event again acted as a perfect catalyst for addressing the issues of men’s health and wellbeing. The rain held off and the 10K run took place in mild, overcast conditions in Glasgow’s city centre. The brand new 2016 route took runners from the Riverside Museum to George Square via some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The 10K race was officially started by Jay Semple who was nominated by his friend Christopher Quinn. Jay is registered blind and runs with a guide runner, but this didn’t stop him starting the event and then proceeding to run the 10K himself! He pressed the starter horn at 10am and then joined his running group to complete the route with his friends. Event Director Neil Kilgour said: “The Men’s 10K plays such an important role in Scotland, inspiring thousands of men of all ages and abilities to get that little bit fitter. This year’s route was probably the best yet, taking in all of Glasgow’s iconic sights such as the Hydro, the Science Centre and the SECC, crossing over the Clyde via the Tradeston Bridge and finishing in George Square.” “It was an incredible atmosphere generated by runners and supporters.” The event threw up countless stories from ordinary men doing extraordinary things. John Roach ran in honour of his son Calum, who was recently diagnosed with Autism. John uses running as a coping mechanism and a way to vent his frustration of being unable to help his son. Relatively new to running, John’s first outing was a self-professed disaster; he vomited after one mile. Since then John has tackled several races including half marathons and one full marathon, raising funds and awareness of Autism. He now says that running is “part of my life” and he has plenty of races planned this year. John was understandably delighted after finishing the Glasgow Men’s 10K today, he has done Calum proud on Father’s Day! Elsewhere, Bryan Morrison was running for a charity called SiMBA who give out memory boxes to parents who have recently experienced the awful case of a stillborn baby. In July 2003, Bryan and his wife were unfortunate enough to have this experience first-hand. SiMBA was set up in 2005 by a nurse called Sara Fitzsimmons who wanted to give these parents more. Well done to Bryan for raising money and awareness for a fantastic cause close to his heart. Finally, Scott Sweeney ran the Glasgow Men’s 10K for the Scottish Network for Arthritis in Children (SNAC) after his youngest son Liam was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis earlier this year. Scott decided to run for SNAC after they had helped give some advice for Liam’s condition and he saw what great work they do. The fact it was Father’s Day no doubt made Scott’s 10K run all the more special. Race Director Kilgour added: “Congratulations to everyone who took part – you all fully deserved your commemorative medal and goody bag. I am really proud of the fact that these men have acted and made positive change in their lives. They pulled the trainers on and made a difference not only in their lives but also that of their family and friends. They should walk tall once they’ve crossed that finish line.” For those who want to do it all again or who missed out on Glasgow, there is still another chance to join the fun when the Men’s 10K returns to Edinburgh after a successful debut in the Scottish capital last year. Edinburgh will host the event on Sunday 6th November just ahead of International Men’s Day with a route that begins on the Royal Mile and finishes at Murrayfield Stadium. To find out more visit http://www.mens10k.com/edinburgh and to see the full results from Glasgow, visit http://www.mens10k.com/glasgow

Credit : Jane Barlow THIS year’s Glasgow Men’s 10K takes place on Father’s Day, Sunday 19th June. A beautiful city centre route awaits the thousands of men who will each have their own reason for running in just over a week’s time. Entries are flying in for the event this year and the stage is set for the biggest and best Men’s 10K yet! Each year, the Men’s 10K acts as a catalyst for addressing the issues of men’s health and wellbeing, whether that be them becoming more active, overcoming serious illness, or running for a loved one. The event never fails to conjure up countless incredible stories of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity, and 2016 is no different. One guy who typifies the spirit of the event is Jay Semple. Jay will be the official starter of the Glasgow Men’s 10K this year, after being nominated by his good friend Christopher Quinn; a role he described as “an absolute honour”. Jay’s drive and determination inspired Christopher to put him forward, and we couldn’t have asked for a more worthy starter. Jay is registered blind and runs with a guide runner, his vision is quickly deteriorating as time goes on, but this has not stopped him running events all over the UK in recent years. Jay has run in the Men’s 10K on several occasions and it is a hugely important event for him. Jay is inspired by his three year old son and plans to give him his medals once he is old enough as well as encouraging him to take up running himself. A growing collection of 65 medals from 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and more from all over the UK are testament to Jay’s courage. His refusal to let his loss of vision prevent him from completing these challenges is admirable. The 19th of June is set to be an extra special Father’s Day for Jay, starting the race and then running 10K to be greeted by his son at the finish line in George Square. Elsewhere, Maurice Donohue, who was the official starter for the 10th anniversary last year, is back this year and you won’t miss him! Maurice and friend Colin Thomas (who also ran the event last year) will be running in their dashing cavemen outfits, fully clad with caveman clubs and headbands! Maurice and Colin will be raising awareness of mental health and Scotland’s leading mental health charity SAMH who are based in Glasgow. We hope their efforts will be a ‘roaring’ success. Be sure to give them a wave if you see them! This year’s route begins at the Riverside Transport Museum, before heading along the River Clyde, passing by many of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks and finishing in George Square where cheering crowds await to help runners across the line where they will receive their well earned medal, water and goodybag. Entries are still open for this year’s Glasgow Men’s 10K, closing at 5pm on Wednesday 15th June. To find out more and grab your late entry, head to http://www.mens10k.com/glasgow. Edinburgh will host the second Men’s 10K event of 2016 on Sunday 1st November just ahead of International Men’s Day. The route begins on the Royal Mile and finishes at Murrayfield Stadium. To find out more visit http://www.mens10k.com/edinburgh. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Mens10k, on Twitter @Mens10k and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mens10k/ – #Mens10k #thismancan