Great Scottish Run

Hello and welcome to the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow. A record-

breaking 24 athletes have come to St George Square to take part in a

half-marathon and other events. Here is what is coming up tonight.

Can Joseph Birech retain his half- marathon title? The best of the

action from the elite race shortly. Children had been taking part in

events over the weekend. We meet the couple who are celebrating

their ruby wedding anniversary by running around Glasgow. I am joined

by Tim Baillie. He won in the canoe slalom in the Olympics. I imagine

life has changed quite a bit for you since you won that? Yes. People

ask me if I have come down to earth. I feel more normal now. Scottish

athletes did really well in the Olympics. There is huge parties are

predation today. -- participation today. I could not be so bold as to

claim their but it is nice if it has inspired people. The Sports,

other than the main ones, but you see on television all the time, it

shows them ways to keep fit. date you are not running. Tell us

your role here today. -- today you are not running. I would get my

photo taken and that sort of thing. I understand you are starting the

10 K, is that right? I will find out in a moment. Congratulations on

your gold medal. Well done! Thousands of athletes took to the

streets of Glasgow for the 10K challenge. Almost 10,000 people

lined up, starting in George Square minutes and 57 seconds. That was

the same time as the female wheelchair athlete, Samantha. In

the women's race, it was won in a time of 32 minutes and two seconds.

Congratulations to all who took part Foster let's look ahead to the

elite race and catch up with two Commonwealth champions who will be

hoping to defend their titles in It is my first visit to Clarke's --

Glasgow. Running him is an opportunity. Being the next city

that is going to invite the Commonwealth Games and being a

Commonwealth event Turk in the marathon, it will be an opportunity

for me to Iran. -- ran. How much are you looking forward to

defending your title? It is becoming more competitive. I have

to prepare very early, to look forward and plan my schedule.

During that time, I will be in my peak shape. I am looking forward to

the race tomorrow. I am very ready. I hope to run good in 2014. Had

think I'm going to defend my title. -- I think. The weather here it is

nice. It is not what, it is not cold. It will be very nice. I am

happy because I have come back to Glasgow to defend my title from

last year. I see the weather is good. Maybe tomorrow, if it is a

little bit sunny, we shall do something. The elite race is about

to start. Let's join our commentary see, over 10,000m. She is in great

form. They are joined by the marathon champion of the

Commonwealth Games of 2010. You can see the experience we have got. The

Spaniard also features in the men's race. It is a good line-out. Europe

and Africa are both well represented. The defending champion

was just outside the road race record last year. John Kelai is a

big marathon man. Also on the track. The masses behind, all sorts of

competitions for them. Team challenges - the community Team

Challenge. The Scottish Athletics Team Challenge. So many

opportunities for people to operate in racing and the elite all of a

sudden away from the rest of the field. It is a big field but it is

an accomplished one. Japan is well represented. This is Sohta Hoshi of

Japan, leading the group. He is followed by Yuki Takamiya. On the

right of your shot his Joseph Birech. He came here last year and

won the title. Also Masamichi Shinozaki, the other Japanese

athlete. A great tradition of marathon and half marathon running

in Japan, particularly with their raining. -- women. John Kelai is

happy to sit at the back of the group. It is uphill to start with.

We do not expect it to be quick. It is challenging. There are one or

two undulations on the course as we will see, as we go through the race.

We expect something rant about 62, 63 minutes for the men. -- round

about. Brian is sitting alongside me. You know the course well. You

have run it before. We start right in the heart of Glasgow in George

Square. A big a pale up St Vincent Street. Over the Kingston Bridge. -

- uphill. Back through the Gorbals area and coming into the back end

of Glasgow Green. A dull -- then along the River Clyde and into the

green itself. You can see how popular the race is. Over 24,000

people across this weekend. You think maybe this is the Olympic

bounce, may be the excitement about the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The

reigning Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion is tucking her cell into

the back of the leading women. -- herself. In the men's race, a

is for the men. They both have the challenge for the leading mile. The

leading men are being led by Joseph Birech on the left. He is right

next to Yuki Takamiya of Japan. Behind him John Kelai of Kenya.

Look how the leading group is stretched out in the early stages.

Incidentally, John Kelai was selected for the marathon at the

2010 Commonwealth Games. He moved away from the field in the Bina 10

kilometres to become Commonwealth champion. -- in the final 10

kilometres. The other Japanese, on the inside, Masamichi Shinozaki. He

is on the left in the black. He has a red stripe around the, -- the

collar. Ross his stint in the yellow vest -- Houston. A new men's

and women's champion will be crowned at the end of the half

marathon. The defending champion looks as if he is establishing the

tenor of the race straight away. At this stage, it is a bit early to

give you an indication of the pace they are running but I think he

will be something similar this year. Ayad Lamdassem is at the back of

the group. Yuki Takamiya is number 24. Back to the women. It is a

mixed field and they have the advantage of working off the men.

For some of the men, it is great fun to run alongside these elite

as they make their way through this area of Glasgow and onto the

Kingston Bridge. It looks like a bit of a break. Joseph Birech is

putting the brakes on. The first of the Japanese running, as you can

see, the closer route. A little glance from John Kelai. That is

Yuki Takamiya, who is happy to get in there. There is a gap opening up

as Joseph Birech and John Kelai start to move away from the rest of

the field. You can see what -- what they climb it is. It is one of the

best bits of the route in terms of taking in the views of the city. It

is a stretch of Scotland's busiest motorway. There looks to be a gap

between the leading group and the second group - the trading group -

of about 20 metres or so. Nothing significant. You have got Joseph

Birech leading along with John he's the man he is trying to stay

in touch with the two Kenyans. That won the you know well, Brian.

a race that has been dominated by the Kenyans in the men and women's

races. Always a big Japanese contingent here, but they have

never really figured. This is a mixture of the elite women and some

of the stronger men. The Japanese athletes in the blue on the left,

she was 20th in the world junior cross-country championship a few

years ago. She is very good in the country and on the roads now.

of these Japanese athletes don't raise much outside Japan, but

always could have been welcoming in Glasgow. Sohta Hoshi is now a

leading the training group. So, three Japanese and one Spaniard in

that group. We will get so it's a view on how far the leaders are

ahead in a moment. That is one at the refreshment stops. Sohta Hoshi

is a good 5000 metre man. That is the gap. That gap really has

increased since the game of the Briedge. They just came past

Scotland Street School, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This is

almost at tourist trail around Glasgow's city centre. That gives

you some indication, at that point we were making about the

undulations in the course. Destine help pieces quite striking. -- that

Hale is quite striking. Farrell, the wheelchair racer, he is working

hard at the back of Back group. -- that group. This looks like a

significant move away now. This sort of speed that this woman is

putting in, that means she is sub 70, there is no question about that.

This is early to make this break. We are not even at the four mile

mark. Scotland Street School is just ahead of the three mile marker.

Back to the leading men. I was just wondering if Yuki Takamiya of Japan

could hold on with the Kenyans, and I think that is the answer. Joseph

Birech, on the left, looks quite happy. His best time ever was

recorded in Alicante last year. Joseph Birech really wants this. He

has been very much a part of the race weekend, inspiring the

thousands of juniors who came along for the junior races on Saturday.

Along with John Kelai, he wants to be the first man for a long time to

win the race to times in a row. you can see the Japanese here

pitting the Kenyan under pressure. a picture big enough to show us the

gap that has been built up. It seems to get bigger and bigger. She

doesn't have any of the men around her. She is not looking bothered by

being out on her room. She made her marathon debut in 2003, indeed due

by marathon. She took second place. It was one of the fastest times as

a debutante, so she is a real talent. Let's see what the men are

doing. Let's see if anything else has happened. It looks as though

there is a bit of a break up there. It looks as if there is a gap

between John Kelai in second place, and it looks like Joseph Birech has

got a bit of a gap. This could be the most significant break for him.

The rest are all out of shot at the moment. You can tell this is a man

who has been talking it up, and he is pitting the action along to the

words. It seems that both that men and women are being very impatient.

Look at that, no expression, very relaxed. She is clearly on route.

It looks like she could be on route for 69 in have, or something like

in 2000. Bellahouston Park and this is a significant lead. Joseph

Birech the defending champion has made his lead. John Kelai could not

respond to that. At the moment anyway. Here are the women

approaching. The National Masters cross country champion is a

tempting to pace the leader of the women's race. Bellahouston Park

Park has been host to a two Popes. To date it is home to this Great

Scottish Run. -- today. Yuki just thought that John Kelai might

have been able to hold on to Joseph Birech. He looks to be in good form.

You have bad a good patches in races. He is desperately trying to

make up some of the lost ground. It is a big lead he has at the moment

in this race. John Kelai has some work to do. He is coming to

Mosspark Boulevard. There is a big gap. Joseph Birech is making his

way to the second of the two parks. This could be tricky. So far they

have been running on flat roads. This is way you get a few twists

made a bit of a move. Here is your leader, beat Bo Qiu. She is so far

gone. She is on course for for finishing the race and under 70

minutes. It is a long way to go for our leader in the women's race. It

is a surprise that Aya Nagata has gone ahead Scotby David Boudia. Did

difference in their personal bests is about three minutes! Beat David

Boudia on paper is certainly a lot faster, but it doesn't look that

way. So, here is be Oleksandr Bondar. He is on about 63 minutes

the field, that he doesn't need to pursue it. Imagine if you are a

runner who lives in Glasgow, having this huge country estate just off

the main motorway, gifted to the City back in the 1960s, a great

place to go and train. The Bo Qiu, her best time of the year was set

in the April, but she will be well helped by running along with some

of the domestic men. She doesn't worry about that, she has left them

all behind! I just got a glimpse there of Sohta Hoshi. He has come

right on the heels of John Kelai! John Kelai must have gone through

her really bad patch to allowed the Japanese to come back. You have to

give a lot of credit to Sohta Hoshi. He is going really well. His speed

is good, the way in which she is running the race is good. He looks

keeping concentration. John Kelai is the one who looks worried. It

looks like he now needs to put his foot down but it looks like the

Japanese athlete, Sohta Hoshi, is women, Aya Nagata. We sold the

leader go through the Bo Qiu going through some time ago. There is

Grace Momanyi. Not much has happened since we last saw them.

Simon Jones, the Welsh ten-mile road champion is just tuck into

that group of the women as well. You can see why Glasgow is pleased

to call itself the green place. looks like Sohta Hoshi has gone

away from John Kelai! You can see the unduly Asian here. That gap has

certainly increased. There is Scotland's Commonwealth Games

marathon champion, currently sitting in fit Dorset place. -- in

He looks very easy, doesn't he? He is not going out for fast times, he

is doing what he needs to do to defend his title. The undulations

of the course have been pretty obvious to see. The gap has

increased between him and John Kelai, that's for sure. Aya Nagata

looking strong. The men are at the 10 mile mark. The women will soon

be there. This is a big, big surprise. It is a long time since

the Japanese women have featured on the podium here in Glasgow. They

are a big part of this race. There is always a big Japanese team that

comes here for this. They have performed outside themselves today.

Reflecting on Aya Nagata, she is on the sort of schedule to make her

personal best. Joseph Birech looks so comfortable, like his out for a

Sunday morning jog! He did the business earlier on. He will not

know that Sohta Hoshi is now in second place. I doubt if it would

worry him, because the gap is very, very big indeed. The Bo Qiu -- the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 97 seconds

Bo Qiu is the leader by some be outside 63 minutes. Bezunesh

Bekele looks the same. She is relaxed and a beautiful athlete.

do not think we will see fast times. For most of this race, the leaders

had been out there on that own. The final section is quick. The River

Clyde is on one side. The main bit of Glasgow Green is on the other

side. They can hear the finish line. They know it is almost in sight.

The encouragement is coming. The cameras are clicking. These moments

are recorded. The man en-route to defending his title. My first of

this accomplished men's line-up approaches the finish. The

defending champion is coming home just outside 63, to take the title

once again and defend his title. He allows himself a little celebration.

Joseph Birech wins the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run For the

second time. He has won it last year and he has won it a ship in

great style. He is way ahead of the rest of the field. -- won at it

this year. The Japanese athlete his second. He paced himself well and

went past John Kelai when it mattered. He takes second place.

Just outside 64 minutes. Will John Kelai hold on? He is coming through

into third place. He has recovered a little bit. I do not think the

gap was as great as it was at one stage of the race. He comes through

to take third place. His time just outside 64. Slow times. It looks

like Joseph Birech is not in the least bit disappointed. It was all

about are holding on to that title. In second place, Aya Nagata is

fighting. She may be close to getting a personal best was up her

times have not been that impressive. -- a personal best. Beautiful

aerial pictures of Glasgow. Here is the women the crowds at this finish

line had been waiting for. The Ethiopian disappointed in so many

races. She was 4th place at the World Championships. Today she is

the Great Scottish Run half- marathon champion. A terrific run

and a solo run for most of this the race. What the great day for the

Japanese team who are going to go home with great memories of the

estate in Glasgow. Aya Nagata may be a surprising second place

against world-class opposition. We're still waiting for the

Commonwealth Games champion and for Grace Momanyi, the 10,000m champion

as well. Aya Nagata takes second place. That's is a personal best.

Grace Momanyi second and third in the women's 10 K in Glasgow in the

last few years. She took third here. She knows it is not her best day.

There is confirmation of the men's It is the second time I have been

on this course. So I knew the consequences. I knew there Hill. I

knew to slow down. There were a lot of people watching today full

started to get a lot of support? knew that everyone was supporting

us in this race. It was very nice. E seemed to be very comfortable

today. You've looked very strong. - - views seemed. I worked very hard.

I am happy I win. You were a bronze medallist in the Commonwealth Games.

It is coming back to Glasgow. You must want to come back here and get

the gold. Exactly. I am very sure I will do my best. When I qualify for

the Kenyan team, I will do wonders in this place. Scottish people

support me. They cheer me because I have appeared here twice. It will

be maybe the third time to appear here in the Commonwealth Games

correct if I make the team of Kenya. Let's hope we see you in two years'

time. One interested spectator is Freya Murray from Team GB. In it

has been fantastic. Everyone has enjoyed it. -- it has been. Joseph

and Bezunesh Bekele coming in first place in the men and women's races.

It is good to see how good they are. You were in the Olympics in the

summer, in the marathon for Team GB. Looking ahead to two years' time

and the column of games in Scotland, what are your plans for the

marathon? -- the Commonwealth Games. I will do another marathon hope for

the next year. Then I will aim for the World Championships. Deftly

back in Glasgow. Have good will it be to win the marathon on home

soil? -- how good? The experience will be great but to do well is

what I am focusing on. 24,000 people have taken part. A lot

people have turned out to see them. They are right in to marathon

running or half marathon running. So many people supporting the

athletes. Everything from Joseph winning the men's race to the end,

it is brilliant to see so many people supporting an event like

this. Hopefully it will inspire people to get their trainers on and

get training for next year. elite runners are finished but

there are still thousands of people on the calls, including a couple

who have already completed a would expect Jim and Liz to take it

easy and spend their ruby wedding on a beach. They have put on their

Benning shoes and a pounding the streets of Glasgow. -- running

shoes and a pounding. I was working in Glasgow. We met. Liz comes from

Falkirk. We meant. It was love at first sight. That was it. I'm like

running. Jim kind of likes running. We notice that the Great Scottish

Run was on. I have not done it before. I thought, why not? If I

could go back in time and tell that young girl of 20 that I would be

running 40 years later, I would have laughed. I started running in

my mid-thirties. It is my social life. My friends round. It is a

great bonding experience. You can be from any walk of life yet you

can run. I ran with all sorts of people from different professions.

It is great. You are doing different races. I am training for

a marathon. That is in four weeks' time in Inverness. It is the right

time to do a half before you do a marathon. Jimmy is doing the 10K.

just have to run and breathe. It takes all my time to do that.

you have a target for the base? will try to do my best. -- the race.

Hopefully I will do better than I did last time. If I did the 10K in

under an hour, I will be happy. was delighted. I did it in under an

par. You have been in the wars! took a tumble. I pick myself up and

I finished it Gomersall it was really pleased. You're OK? Perfect.

I might get a black eye Gomersall have my 40th wedding celebrations

with a black eye! Was this the perfect way to spend it? Yes. It

was a brilliant run. It has been so friendly. The people are so

friendly. You'll never get lost in Glasgow, even the taxi drivers are

friendly in Glasgow! Congratulations to put the view,

and not just for the race, but for the 40 years marriage. The action

has been going on all weekend hearing Glasgow.

After basking in the success of the great summer or for British sport,

it is hoping -- it is hoped that kids will get out and get active.

The Great Scottish Run events is the future! I like sports to keep

you think, how good would it be to beat them! A I would like to go to

the Olympics in do gymnastics. after competing in London this

summer, one Scottish athlete is looking to emulate the success of

her mother when the Commonwealth Games comes to Glasgow. She hopes

that the Olympics and events like this will inspire youngsters to

take part. I took part in this one I was 12 or 13. It was a great

events. I loved every minute of it. My mum took part in the half

marathon the next day. That is the main thing, everybody can take part.

They had a toddler -- the day and it was one of the queue does things

I have ever seen! The kids absolutely love it! The younger you

can get kids involved in sport, just in taking part, that is the

goals! A my mum said to me as soon as Glasgow was announced in 2014

come if you could be there, that would be the biggest thing you have

ever achieved. She said that the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh for

her were by far her stand out memory of her whole career, yet she

had gone to the Olympics, one world championships. She said having a

home crowd in Edinburgh suppressed anything she had ever done. I think

that Glasgow will be like that for me, even if they don't win a gold

medal. The fact that I had made the team at such a young age and to be

their healthy on the start-line would be a massive thing. I am very

fortunate that 2014 is closer than London. It will be a huge event.

The Scottish crowds, I think there will be just as loud as they were

in London. I really hope I can be a part of its and build towards 2014.

Still more runners out there battling their way around the

course and raising lots of money for charity. At what point did you

think, that it was not the best idea to wear their costume. About

half a mile in. Why and they this morning, were traded in the 34

minutes, and I did a reasonable time here. Sensational. It is

fantastic the crowds, a great day, isn't it? Was it hard out there

today? It was. That was the first one I have done. It was really

enjoyable. A great day. Will you do it again? Once a happy years rest!

-- once I have I You're's rest. am doing this to try and beat my

flatmate. I'm keeping an eye out running. I think I am a glutton for

try to get people who have not run before to run five kilometres a day

for 50 days in a row. Signed-up Paisley Road West. Pollock Park is

parks and into Glasgow Queen -- Glasgow Green, they are phenomenal.

A fantastic day. Happy birthday, whole way round. Great course.

Really enjoyed it. Sadly, 28-year- old Aubrey Smith collapsed while

taking part in this year's half- marathon and later died in hospital.

He was running with his brother who said he had been ready looking

forward to the event. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family

and friends at this difficult time. The next road race on the BBC is

the Great North Run on 16th September. Coverage begins at

9:30am on BBC One and BBC One E H D. From Glasgow on a record-breaking