Scotland Kilomathon

Credit : GSi Events Entries open today (Wednesday 5 August) for one of the UK’s most unique distance running events. Kilomathon will take place in Edinburgh on Sunday 20 March 2016. The event takes inspiration from marathon measurements and converts into the metric equivalent distances for “the perfect race distance”. The race course winds through Edinburgh’s beautiful cycle path network beginning at Ocean Terminal with views of the Firth of Forth and past the Royal Yacht Britannia. It continues through leafy Victoria Park onwards to a rousing finish in front of the West Stand at BT Murrayfield Stadium. Kilomathon events include a 13.1k event, 6.55k event and 2.62k for junior runners. These are the perfect distances for runners who want to tackle a little more than a 5K or a 10K. Kilomathon is hosted by GSi Events, organisers of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, Bournemouth Marathon Festival and Scottish Half Marathon. Sandra Scott, Race Director said: “Kilomathon is the perfect race distance. “Whether you are a seasoned runner wanting to set a new PB at a unique distance, or you’ve run a 5k or 10k and are looking at stepping up to a longer distance, or even a first timer looking to try a race for the first time, Kilomathon has an event for you. “With a stunning traffic-free course and an incredibly inspiring finish line at the home of Scottish rugby, Kilomathon is truly an event for every runner to tackle.” Entries are open now, with discounted early bird entries available until Wednesday 19th August. Visit www.kilomathon.com.

Credit : GSi Events Over 2000 runners took part in Kilomathon on Sunday 29th March. The route showed Edinburgh at its very best, starting at the Ocean Terminal, with views over the Firth of Forth, before heading past the famous Royal Yacht Britannia and then on to the legendary home of Scottish Rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium. Bryan Mackie from Edinburgh Athletic Club raced to the finish line at Murrayfield Stadium in record breaking style, completing the 13.1K course in just 43 minutes and 41 seconds, setting a new course record. The 36-year-old was thrilled to defend his title as well as smash his previous 13.1K record time of 44 minutes and 17 seconds set at Kilomathon last year. “I’m so pleased with my result time. It’s a really challenging route and I’m really happy with my run. The conditions were good, it threatened yesterday to be really blowy but thankfully the wind died down so it made for a pleasurable running experience. “I could feel John [Sharp] on my shoulder for the first two or three kilometres, as it twisting and turning every time I looked over my shoulder I could see him, so once I got onto the straight, I put my head down and pushed on towards BT Murrayfield. “I’d like to congratulate all the runners who took part today whether running for charity, or for fitness. This event is so well organised making it perfect for runners of all levels and they were all out in force today.” The Kilomathon events are metric equivalents of the marathon distances with Sunday’s races being a half Kilomathon of 13.1k, a quarter of 6.55k and a 2.62k race for junior runners. Dorothy Mathie, 44, from Edinburgh, was the first woman home, completing the 13.1K in 53 minutes and 26 seconds. “I’m really happy with my win, I didn’t expect it at all. The route is great – flat – and provides great views of Edinburgh. The finish is spectacular at Murrayfield Stadium too!” Kilomathon also today featured a 6.55K race, won in 26 minutes by Adrian Lewis, 43, from Aberdare Valley Athletics Club. Katherine Thomson, 29, of Aberdeenshire was the first woman home in the 6.55K race in 33 minutes and 52 seconds. Kilomathon is one of 30 events Thomson will complete this year. “To mark my 30th birthday later this year, I decided to challenge myself and do something special. Kilomathon is my fifth challenge and my first win. It is great event and has given me a boost of confidence for the rest of my challenges, including the Half Marathon at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in May.” Dozens of youngsters took part in the 2.62K Mini Kilomathon race today with Josh Abbott, 13, from Chirnside Chasers coming top of the juniors, finishing around 1 minute ahead of the rest of the field in just 8 minutes and 38 seconds. He said: “I am really happy with my run. It felt great crossing the finish line first – what a buzz!” Definitely among the most scenic race series in the UK, the 13.1K race started at Ocean Terminal with panoramic views across the Firth of Forth before runners headed past the famous Royal Yacht Britannia, eventually reaching an unforgettable finish in the legendary home of Scottish rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium. Abi Beautyman, Kilomathon Event Manager, said: "It’s been a great day and it’s fantastic to have a new race record. We’d like to congratulate everyone that took part”. Anyone wishing to pre-register to be first to know when entries open for Kilomathon 2016 can do so at www.kilomathon.com.

Scotland’s capital is set to host a metric marathon next spring after hundreds of requests by runners to bring back the popular race distance. Entries are open now for the 26.2km route which on March 17 2013 will show Edinburgh at its very best. Much of the route is on luscious green Edinburgh cycle paths taking in Ocean Terminal and Leith Docks, with views over the Firth of Forth, before heading past the famous Royal Yacht Britannia, and then on to the legendary home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield Stadium. The Kilomathon events which are metric equivalents of the marathon distances have built up a loyal following since they were first launched in 2010 with a 26.2km course that included crossing the Forth Road Bridge. But the full 26.2km race distance was dropped in Edinburgh this year after organisers changed the Kilomathon route. Now the 26.2km race is back as an exciting, new fixture on the UK running calendar. A half Kilomathon of 13.1km, a quarter of 6.5km and a 2.6km junior race are also available to sign up to compete in on March 17 as part of Kilomathon Scotland’s spring races. Neil Kilgour, Kilomathon Scotland Race Director, said: “We’re proud to host such an unusual race and to bring back the 26.2km distance after demand from runners for this distance. “It’s 26.2KM (16.3 miles) is a perfect distance if you are training for a marathon later in the year. “The route includes Ocean Terminal, picturesque Edinburgh parks with a memorable finish at Murrayfield, the home of the Scottish rugby team. It’s a course we’ve chosen with care and includes some nice flat parts plus scenic sections using the cycle paths adjacent to Ferry Road. “The 13.1km race is an ideal distance for the many thousands of runners who complete a 10k and until now have found that’s the end of the road. The thought of going twice as far and doing a half marathon is quite daunting so our unusual 13.1km distance is very appealing. It’s a nice way of easing yourself from the comfort zone of 10km to something more demanding. “The 6.5km race is perfect for those tens of thousands of runner who happily take on a 5km challenge at a Big Fun Run. Can we tempt them a little bit further and send them on their way to 10km success? We think we can with 6.5km. “And our 2.6km race which is open to children aged six to 14 means there’s something for all the family. All in all we reckon that we’ve created a winning package of races, all a bit out of the ordinary. Our distances, although unusual, will help runners towards their next goal. All that combined with our great start and finish means this is a perfect opportunity for families and groups of friends to have a very special day out.” ENTRIES are now open for Kilomathon Scotland on March 17th, 2013 Just go to the website on www.kilomathon.com Additional notes We’re spoilt for choice with two Kilomathon races planned for 2013. The first race is in Edinburgh on March 17 2013 and the second will be in London in October 2013. If you fancy following in the footsteps of Olympic stars, entries are still open for the London 2012 Kilomathon on October 30th, 2012. Competing in a Kilomathon is also a chance to make a difference to other people’s lives by raising money for charity.The are over 300 Kilomathon affliliate charities to fundraise for.