Great Scottish Run Athletics

Great Scottish Run What can I tell you about Glasgow? Glasgow is a city

of buildings, some ancient and grand, some contemporary and

challenging. It's a city of ships and shipbuilders, with a famous old

river running right through its heart. They say Glasgow made the

Clyde and the Clyde made Glasgow. It is a city that constantly transforms

itself. During the past 12 years, close to £6 billion have been spent

on the redevelopment of the waterfront. But its roots are strong

and it is Scotland's cultural power house, the first UK city to be named

city of culture. It has a proud sporting heritage. Glasgow hosted

the world's first international football match in 1872 - Scotland

versus England, a 0-0 draw and next year it Hopeses the common wealth --

hosts the Commonwealth games. And for one weekend only this city

becomes a city of runners. They will tell their own story and they will

tell Glasgow's story. What a better way to describe this

city than Neil Oliver. As he said, it is the people that make Glasgow

what it is and thousands of them are gathered in George Square awaiting

the start of their run. Hello and a warm welcome to George Square for

the 34th Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run. In nine months time

the eyes of world will be on this city as it hosts the Commonwealth

game and many people will be volunteering to make Hewer the games

are a success. -- sure the games are a success. And almost 30,000 runners

are taking part for a weekend which is a festival of running. Already

there have been five events, the junior and mini-runs. But in half

app hour -- an hour it is the big one toe half marathon. And here

already we have thousands of runners gathering to take part in their big

run. We have club and fun runners. Haile Gebrselassie will be the the

man who lead the race, followed by 11,500 runners here at George Square

and one man down there is our reporter David Currie. I'm in George

Square, the heart of Glasgow in the shadow of the Scott monument with

with some other great Scots with me. The gentlemen of four para. It is

not long until the race starts, you should get into your running kit?

This is our standard running kit. We train all year round in boots. But

hold on, you have trainers on. I think your a slacker. The reason is

I'm doing the marathon at the end of the month to raise awareness for the

wounded soldiers. This is a training run for me. I hope to get a good

time. Maybe not beat the elite runners, because I'm getting a bit

time. Maybe not beat the elite older now. You're running with these

packs. You have a carry out in there? That is carbohydrates in

there. It is standard 37 pound kit. Is this a training run for you guys,

or is there some other purn? It is a good bit to get in the public eye,

we are always looking for new recruits and always training and

trying to do, because we do overseas training all year round and get

deployed on a regular basis and most of us have been on operations. That

is what we do, we train throughout the year. Do you think there will be

some young men and ladies watching this race and they will see you

running with these packs, thinking, tell you what, I fancy a bit of

that? I hope they will be inspired. Because that is what we are here to

do. To train, maintain and inspire. Dedicate yourself to a cause. Our

cause is four para. We are all full-time workers. We will give our

all today. Thank you. All the best and I will be watching you. We will

all be watching you and David will be at the start until all the

runners are away. We have Rhona McLeod on the course. She is in hell

Houston -- bell alieu ston park. For the runners, that is miles five and

six which are more twisty and Turney after the long flat strep of Paisley

-- stretch of Paisley Road West. I don't think Haile Gebrselassie and

the others will be stopping for me, but after that there are people

taking part with inspiring and heartbreaking stories. I will be

having a chat with them and I'm a bit jealous of everybody taking

part. I was supposed to be doing it. But I'm going to have a great time

here talking to everyone. Coming up, Alan Wells and Liz McColgan will be

joining me. Lifz Liz will also be in the commentary box. Haile

Gebrselassie will have competition from Joseph Birech and British

runners Chris Thompson and Andrew Lemoncello. Susan Partridge will run

and Steph Twell and Claire Ross will go head-to-head. And we hear from

and Steph Twell and Claire Ross will Jessica Ennis about her preparations

for the Commonwealth Gameses and a guide to the city from Neil Oliver

and we hear from some of the 30,000 runners for their reasons for

running. People like tomorrows a Armstrong. -- Thomas Armstrong. I'm

Tommy Armstrong and they all know me as Tommy The Clown ap this is my

run. I got into running 1984. I was a football referee and people, men

in the work were saying there is a big run coming up. It was a

marathon. They said, Tommy, you can do it, because you're a referee. I

said you must think I'm an idiot. After I refused to do it they called

me a chicken and every where I went, its was chicken and chicken. So I

ran and it kept me fit and I got the bug. Running as far as I'm concerned

keeps you fit and healthy and I don't smoke and I don't drink. So

and I enjoy raising money for charity when I'm running. I say,

this is the main thing in my running system. Up to the end of last year I

have raised £164,000. I'm 72 now and people say you don't look the age.

Well, that is due to running. When I put my clown outfit, they say, here

is Tommy again, so means I won't be last. I'm always last, because I

look after the ones at the back that are not used to it and make sure

they finish the race. I don't care if I'm last. Doesn't bother me, I

get the same medal as the man at the front! There are pictures of Thomas

about half an hour ago setting off as he said he would at the back of

about half an hour ago setting off the course. Raised £164,000 over the

years. I'm sure he will raise more this morning. Also out on the course

are the wheelchair racers. They got under way earlier. 11,500 runners

have entered the half marathon. We have still got 20 minutes until the

race and David is at George Square with one runner doing their first

ever half marathon. Yes I'm with Alison and friends. What is going on

here? We are Team Roger, we together and we have been training for this

challenge. I'm representing Kidney Kids Scotland. Team Roger, explain?

It is code for don't stop. You're known for your exploits in the pool,

how serious a runner are you. A recreational runner. You look in

great shape. I have been doing some training, but I'm here to enjoy the

day and take in the atmosphere. A fierce competitor in the pool and

you were known for it. How fiercely will you be competing today, do you

have a time target? I don't have a time. I don't believe you. I want to

get around in one piece. I Royal Bank doing my -- I have been doing

my research and I know you have a fear of clowns. I have to tell you I

my research and I know you have a have seen one or two clowns running

here. Hope I don't see them. We are looking forward to the common wealth

Gameses and swimming will be major event. How do you think Scotland are

coping for that? Scotland has great prospects, not just in swimming, but

in all the sports. To be at home in front of your home crowd is

spectacular. I swam in Manchester and it wasn't quite a home crowd and

we had a lot of support. As a Glaswegian, you are not jealous and

think I wish this had happened ten years ago? Yes of course, but my

time has been and I'm moving on to the next challenges and I will be

there to support them. Will you have an official role? I will be working

for the host broadcaster. I will be there and I will be excited about

that. Thank you and friends thank you. Good luck today. This year the

course has Swaininged. -- has changed. Our special guest is

Katherine Grainger, who will start the course has been on the course

looking at the sights the runners will see along the way. George

Square is the traditional starting point for the Great Scottish Run. It

features many of the city's public statues, including queen Victoria

and Walter Scott. Heading away from the start The route crosses the

River Clyde over the Kingston Bridge, the busiest road bridge in

Europe. At four miles it passes Ibrox,

games. Ibrox will host the rugby sevens. A competition dominated by

New Zealand, who have won all the medals so far. And then past Bell,

houston Park. And then they will medals so far. And then past Bell,

turn back into turn and pass the BBC headquarters at Pacific Quay. And

they head back over the Clyde. Ahead headquarters at Pacific Quay. And

of them will be the SECC, home to six of the Commonwealth sports. The

complex houses two of Glasgow's recognisable building, including the

Clyde oughter to yum and the new -- auditorium and the new Glasgow

hydro. And then the riverside museum, Scotland's museum of travel

hydro. And then the riverside and transport and the winner of the

European museum of the year. And then the Glenlee. This Tall Ship has

been a tourist a I traction since it was opened to the public in 1999. It

is one of only five Clyde-built sailing ships afloat anywhere in the

world. Then along the river towards the finish at Glasgow Green, where

world. Then along the river towards the runners are greeted by the

McLellan arch and then in the shadow of the Nelson arch. Katherine

Grainger joins us. It is an incredible course. It was great to

walk it. You get to see some iconic venues. And just seeing it, it show

cases the city. You were involved in the London Olympics. Understanding

what it is like to have a home crowd, next year the Commonwealth

games will have a home crowd, it is a big event isn't it, it makes such

a difference when they're involved? Yes, we knew the crowds would be

difficult. When you are in front of a home nation, the crowd is

different. In London it was different on a scale we couldn't

predict. The passion and volume were just unlike anything we have seen

and the athletes at the Commonwealth games will experience that. The

venues will be packed and you get a crowd that just wills you on and

want to see your success and celebrate with you. It is a once in

a lifetime opportunity. I think Glasgow has a bit of a pride about

the fact that as an audience they can make a lot of noiss noise and a

lot of rock bands say they have the best crowds. Do you think the

Glasgow people will rise to the occasion? I have no doubt they will

rise. They will love it! I'm the same, I'm based down south and

people I have met from all over the country talk about events in

Glasgow, whether again it is cultural or sporting. The feeling

just in the city and never mind organised events, it is a very proud

city and people love coming here. Let's talk about today's event, the

Great Scottish Run. 30,000 people Let's talk about today's event, the

are taking part over the weekend, extraordinary. Mass participation

events in sport, I would imagine, if something you are in favour of.

Yeah. You have a phenomenal range. You got the best runners in the

world right down to people who have never done a competition in their

life, and everyone can take part. We have got fancy dress, people in

Lycra, the complete range. To be on the starting line alongside heroes

of athletics, and you can all have done nothing but run to school, it

is brilliant. It is not about the time you get, it is about being with

thousands of other people, raising money for great causes and enjoying

the day. I can't let you go without money for great causes and enjoying

asking what you plan to do with the rest of your career. You haven't

told us if you will be in a boat again. I'm not keeping a secret. I

am still undecided. It has been over a year, but a year when I have done

a load of great things. There has not been time to process it. There

are great opportunities there, both in and out of rowing. I still enjoy

being fit and doing exercise. It would be lovely to see you in a boat

again, but thank you for joining us today.

I am with Richard Wright said, the paralytic champion -- Richard

Whitehead, the Paralympic champion. You are all kitted out but you are

not running. Not today, no. I have done all my running. I recently ran

from John O'Groats to lands end. But today I am here supporting the

20,000 runners. I am an ambassador for the Bank of Scotland, promoting

running and sport ahead of next year, and supporting the Paralympic

running and sport ahead of next sport here. You have done a marathon

of marathons. Have you recovered? A bit tired, mentally and physically.

But I have met some amazing people. When I started, some of the stories

I was getting from members of the public made me where lies that the

legacy of 2012 is still here. You are here to inspire people, I

guess. We have got to make sure they are safe today. The important thing

guess. We have got to make sure they is to cross the line in the best

shape you can. I have had a couple of words with some of the runners.

They all look ready to go. There are lots of lines for the toilets,

people are ready for the start! It is going to be a great day. You are

all kitted out. No chance of a late entry? I would love to. The

atmosphere makes me want to get to the start line, but not today.

Richard, thank you. One of the wonderful things about

the Great Scottish Run is millions of pounds will be raised for charity

over the weekend. Many people are running for poignant reasons. One

family and group of people are running in memory of their brother,

who tragically died running this event last year. Rod, UI his

brother. Tell me about your brother and wife you are running. -- you are

his brother. We had done a few races in the past. At the last minute, we

decided to run this race last year. Tragically, he didn't finish. A lot

of his colleagues were keen to get involved and run the race again this

year and finished the race he didn't finish last year. We have all set

out to do this is a group for charity and to finish the race in

his honour, as a tribute to him. And the charity is for cardiac risk in

the young. Tell us about that. It aims to raise

awareness in young people. Up to 12 people per day die of it. It is not

as well-publicised as some -- some of the others, because people tend

to be young and died during physical activity. We had a previous friend

who died of similar things. We wanted to raise awareness for the

charity. You have got a big group of family

and friends here. Jamie, tell us about Aubry, the kind of guy he was.

He was a man who loves to run. I think the mark of the man is the

amount of people we have got here to run in his memory.

Tell me also about your mum and run in his memory.

dad. I believe they are running in the ten K. They set off about half

an hour ago. They are walking as a tribute with some of their friends.

It is the first time they have done anything like this. Quite a big feet

for them, but they said they were looking forward to it. They were

smiling as they crossed the starting line, so I think they were happy.

What you are doing is fantastic. I am sure today will be difficult for

you, but it is good to raise money for the charity. Congratulations and

well done. As I mentioned, the elite races headed by Haile Gebrselassie,

one of the greatest distance runners in the world. He will start the

field today in the elite race. We caught up with him yesterday when he

came down to the junior event to start the mini race.

He is the world's greatest distance runner. I have a question. When did

you start running? I started when I was 14.

A wonderful year. This is my first time here since I started running.

It is lovely, nice weather, the kids are here today.

Nowadays, because of computers, kids are sitting at home. When they see

their friends, they do what they want. I have four kids. I try to get

them to run at home. Wonderful. I want to win here, because I have

never run in Scotland. He is at the forefront of a rich

heritage of Ethiopian athletes in a country in which he is revered,

quite rightly. 27 world records. Extraordinary. Last year we

travelled to Addis Ababa, his hometown, to find out why the

country is able to produce so many great athletes.

Imagine when I was eight years old in the countryside. Nobody.

Everybody wants to run because they know how many great runners we have.

They want to be like them. Most students, when they go to school,

they walk. They have that natural reason to run.

Running here is like a culture. If you ask me how money Ethiopians are

running here in this country, oh, not 1000, maybe a million. A day

without running is not a day. It is an inspiration for the young

generation. Gebrselassie is like Beckham in the

UK. If they follow the footsteps of

Gebrselassie, it is wonderful. I'm so proud. People in the Western

world don't have a true image of our country.

We had a war, chart, lots of problems. Now it is different. Yet

in Addis Ababa, you can see everywhere there is construction.

This is the other side of Ethiopian. We have to educate more people. We

can see a different Ethiopian. This is where I'm training every day in

the afternoon, where I am the master. I am competing because I

need to sweat. This goes up to 25 kilometres per hour. A world record

in here. It is good for comparison, where I, for the new generation. I

don't think this new generation will challenge me easily.

There he is, Haile Gebrselassie, looking very fit. 40 years old and

looking to win the first ever Great Scottish Run. As far as he is

concerned, an amazing athlete. He is Scottish Run. As far as he is

looking very well. Somebody who knows him well is Liz McColgan. Such

an inspiration, isn't he? Not only a great run about putting so much back

into his country. It is amazing. It is the first time he has been to

Scotland. He was not sure, he thought the weather might be hard to

take! It is actually quite warm for Scotland. He is in a good field. It

will be interesting to see how the race develops. You are part of the

commentary team, so you are hoping for a ding-dong battle.

It is the first time we have got the Scottish girls here who are going to

be competing at the wealth Games. It is exciting to get them joining the

others. Let's talk about the Commonwealth

Games. We are nine months away. You, of course, will have your own

experience of winning on home ground. You want back in Edinburgh

in 1986. We will remind you of that, if we can. -- G1, back in Edinburgh

in 1986. What a great moment for the host

nation. Absolutely great memories for you. I

can't watch that without filling up. How do you feel, seeing that? It is

so far removed but it was one of the greatest moments of my life. The

Scottish athletes are going to have the opportunity that I had, and it

is amazing. Obviously I coach my daughter so I am excited about her

going to the Commonwealth Games. daughter so I am excited about her

Hopefully she is in a good position for medals. It will be a fantastic

experience. The people of Glasgow have got behind it. It is something

we are really taking the days to get there. She was down here yesterday

for the junior race. She is trying to inspire the next generation. Just

in terms of any Scottish British athlete to win on home soil, just

give us a sense of how big a deal that can be. It is massive. I was

Scotland's only track gold medallist in 1986 and it was life changing for

me. The event has moved on. The spectators are bigger. The arenas

are better. You are getting more media coverage. It is a different

ball game to when I was there. It is going to be bigger and in every way.

Going back to my daughter, she began here. She ran the kids race here.

Now she is 10th in the world. It is amazing that it shows that kids can

do it from Scotland. They had just got to have the determination. It

would be great to get more of it. We deserve it. I'm really excited about

today. Ailish With Eilish, as a mum, watching her getting ready for a

race, is it worse knowing you can't do anything about it? It is

different being a mum and a coach is a double whammy. Eilish had a lot of

injuries last year and the problem was I learned how to control my

nerves. As a mother, it is nerve racking, but I love seeing her

running. I think she is a tremendous athlete. She has a great running

style. It is amazing that your child can do that. You have got the proud

parent thing going on as well. We are all very proud of the athletes

taking place. You have to get yourself down to the commentary box,

it is about ten minutes away, but if you run, a minute and a half I

think. Aim with Arlene Clarke of the Brightest Star charity. Tell me

about the charity. It was set up after I lost my son Jack. He was a

healthy happy boy, who went to bed one night and then the next day his

heart had stopped, because of an ordinary flu virus. How many people

are running in the green shirts? We have over 200. The support has been

fantastic. It is a great experience to see everyone out. Look out for

the green balloons, is that it? Yes and lots of shouting and singing.

This a Jack's army. It must be an emotional day? Yes, I'm so proud of

what is happening, but I don't want to be doing it for the reason I am,

I would do everything to have Jack here. And you're raising a lot of

cash, or is it more about awareness? Now, we need both. For me I can't

understand that children die when they're healthy because of a virus.

So it is raising awareness and there is a lack of support for bereaved

parents. Can we have a big cheer from Jack's Army? There will be a

lot of cheering today. Millions of pounds raised for charity over the

weekend and people dig deep and their friend and family are digging

into their pockets as well. It is extraordinary the things that go on

here. It will be a brilliant race. We are a few minutes from the start.

At the top of the programme, you heard from Neil Oliver about how

much he loves this city. Let's hear more from him and see what Glasgow

means to him. Like many other places, Glasgow is one that you have

to be careful about not claiming to belong there if you don't really.

I'm not a Glaswegian. My father was born in Glasgow and my mum was born

in Renfrew on the other side of the River Clyde. Our family legend has

it they were both in attendance as babies for the launching of the

Queen Mary, one of the great ships launched from the Clyde. My

favourite building is the Kelvingrove Museum and art

galleries. For one thing it is a stunningly beautiful, red, sand

stone building, it is within park stunningly beautiful, red, sand

land. One of the fabled open green spaces that Glasgow is famous for.

It is what the building contains. It is a wonderful collection. As an

archaeologist, it has many objects that were important to me as a

student and as a working archaeologist. If I was taking

someone around Glasgow, someone who has never visited, I would make a

point of letting them see the area known as the Merchant City. It is a

grid of streets and tall buildings, very striking. It is actually the

model that was then used again by the builders of New York City, that

famous gridwork. The Merchant City came into being during the 18th

century when Scottish merchants trading in tobacco mainly, became

rich and built great warehouses and headquarters in the Merchant City.

It is great to take people and show them that place and remind them that

there was a time when Glasgow was one of the most glamorous, one of

the wealthiest cities in Britain, if one of the most glamorous, one of

not in the world. Glasgow was known as the second city of the British

Empire. It has been central to British and Scottish history. No

less a person than Voltaire, the French philosopher said, it is to

Scotland that we look for our idea of civilisation. Glasgow was at the

heart of that. It was at a time when Scotland and Glasgow shone brighter

than they ever have at any other time. To be a Glaswegian then,

preferably a wealthy one, must have been quite something. It used to be

said and if you speak to the right people, it is said Glasgow made the

Clyde and the Clyde made Glasgow. It refers to efforts to dredge it so

Clyde and the Clyde made Glasgow. It ships could use the river. It was

not just the trade on the ships that made the city wealthy, it was

shipbuilding. At a one time the majority of world's ships were built

on the Clyde and any time anyone took delivery of a Clyde ship it

always had a Scottish engineer looking after the thing. So when

Gene Roden Berks nberry was kweeting star -- -- Rodenberry created star

strebg he had Scottie in the engine room. Now we have Haile Gebrselassie

with us. This is your first experience of Scotland. How have you

been enjoying yourself so far? I don't understand why I didn't come

for many years of my athletics. As you see, it is a lovely atmosphere.

You have been along here all weekend and involved with the junior races

and you have been starting them. Are you getting a sense that there is

talent and love for athletics here in Scotland? Yes, what I seen

yesterday was amazing. Those youngsters, you can see something.

You expect something from those kids. I started you know like their

age. You never know, in the future one of them could become a champion.

A champion of the world. A mean Olympic champion. It is

extraordinary. We saw you at the Great North Run last month and you

put in a wonderful performance there. What is that keeps you going

and performing at this top level. Because this doesn't happen by

accident, it is about hard work? Yes, what is important, it is not a

competition. For me it is important is the training. When I do my

training and keep that discipline and commitment and hard work.

Without discipline, no commitment. Without commitment, no hard work. So

I have to keep those things and then come for competition and it is not

that difficult. In some of the films that we made with you, you talked

not only about physical fitness, but emotional fitness and the importance

that is to you and how running brings that to you and could bring

that to everyone. Running brings to me everything. Believe it or not,

running brings for everyone everything. People have to think now

what running gives me. They have to not just have their daily life.

Because of many reasons. Now, technology brings good things at the

same time also a disadvantage. What is that? To kids and people are in

the office all day and it is too much and people have to sweat and go

out and run at least 30 or 40 minutes a day. We have a delay to

the start of the race, I believe there a problem with one of the

roads in Glasgow. Does that make it difficult for you, because you're

warmed up, does a delay get in the way? This is just normal. Every

where you go, you have this problem. I expect it to happen. The good

thing is we start the race. Well we are going to start. It will be OK

soon. Tell me about who you're hoping to win against today. You

have Joseph Birech who has won twice in Glasgow and we have a wasp trying

to attack us! Do you think you have the making of Joseph Birech? He is

experienced on this course. We will see. And Andrew Lemoncello is being

introduced to the crowd. We won't hold you up any longer, but Haile

Gebrselassie, thank you for joining is us and all the best for today. We

are going to hear from lots of people today and why they're taking

part in the race and we are going to join a young man who fought back

from a life-threatening illness and is running to raise money for a

project that was thought up by his grandfather. We were just sitting

one night waiting for Kevin coming home for tea when he got the call to

say he had had an accident playing football. I believe I got up for a

header, with the other defender and something happened to the attacker.

I don't know. It with auz freak incident. We were not too concerned,

because he is a bit accident-prone. But when we arrived at the hospital

we realised it was a serious accident. We sat in the waiting room

for a long time and I thought this isn't good. That it must be serious

and we found out he had a bad brain injury. He was in an induced coma.

The doctors explained that the prognosis was not good. And he had

long fight ahead of him. Kevin is a big guy, fit as anything, for me to

long fight ahead of him. Kevin is a see him, as his girlfriend of seven

years at that time, in a bed with wires and things coming out of him,

I was devastated. I was put in a wires and things coming out of him,

coma for about three to four weeks. And then obviously, just gradually

came around. Finally, it got better and I started talking. They were

worried about how I would be, if I could speak and be able to walk. The

actual, the first time we saw a bit of light at the end of the tun is

when he was up in his chair in hospital. He just... Scheebgy wee

things -- cheeky wee things, pinching kiss and at one point he

pinched my bum! Because of his low pulse rate and fit tns, we helped --

fitness level, and low pulse we helped that pull him through.

Thankfully I have built up my fitness again and got into it and

started with clients again and started to recover. Over time, and

over time and I think I'm OK now. My friends say I wasn't fully

recovered, but I think I am. We feel proud, because he is a fighter and

he had to learn to walk again to talk again to feed to co-all the --

do all the things that we take for granted. He has come a long way from

that to what he is doing now. The charity is Kilbride hospice. The

reasons are a few reasons. The main reason is my papa helped set it up

and found it. He fought all his life to make it happen. And it has

finally happened. After my papa passed away, my dad took over as

chairman. So it is close to my heart. It is the closest charity to

my heart and makes me want to go and do this run and raise money for

them. He's devoted to the Kilbride hospice. It was his grant father's

hospice. He helped to found it. And any chance he has to give back to

anything, that motivates him more. He is not a selfish person. He is

always thinking of the other person. He never puts himself first. A very

selfless man. Some truly inspirational stories and we will

hear from other racers during the day as to why they're taking part.

We are hearing five minutes to the start of the half marathon. Earlier

today the wheelchair race rode off around 9. 30. It was a picture from

9. 30. Simon Lawson crossed the line first. And Sammi Kinghorn was first

over the line for the girls. They're live with David now.

It took me about an hour to walk live with David now.

down here! Congratulations and an incredible time you put in. Yes,

five minutes faster than last year. How did that happen? I don't know!

Just the hard work and training, I guess. It was a tough race. But it

was good. A lot of hills, especially the first, that was tough.

What did you make of the atmosphere as you went around? It was amazing.

Just as you start to feel tired, you coming to an area with loads of

people out. You must be delighted with knocking five minutes of your

time. Definitely. I thought maybe 302I would do. -- maybe 32 I would

do. I was selected last week to take part in the 1500 metres for the

Commonwealth Games. Simon, an Englishman of the men's event. How

do the race go for you? The race went pretty well for me. I did it in

20 former knit and 12 seconds. Not the fastest time I have done but I

was pleased. -- 24 minutes and 12 seconds. She was saying there were a

lot of hills. There were, right at the start. Once you go over the

hill, it was quite open after that. And a hospitable Scottish crowd

giving you a good reception? Yes, I got a good reception from the fans.

You are not sure if you are taking part in the Commonwealth Games. Can

I persuade you? I would like to, if I can qualify. I am a road distance

person, like half marathon ons -- half marathons. Thank you, both.

Back to you. He has set his sights on winning his

first Great Scottish Run. He were not have it all his own way. -- he

will not. To talk us through it, Brendan Foster, Paul Dickenson, and

Liz McColgan. The streets are packed for this Bank

of Scotland Great Scottish Run. Haile Gebrselassie in the front

there. Most of the elite athletes are there, ready and waiting, as

they have been for some time. Good conditions, good underfoot. A lack

of humility, which is always good. Susan Partridge, 10th place in the

World Championships marathon. That was excellent. Then one of Great

Britain's rising stars for the road, Steph Twell. Three times Junior

cross country champion. Good to see her getting back to fitness. And

Freya Ross, representing Great Britain in the Olympics.

Andrew Lemoncello, based in the United States, he has already won

one of the great series in 2013, in Edinburgh. And the Commonwealth

champion, John Kelai of Kenya. He really has got some good opposition.

Joseph Birech, he is attempting to become the first man ever to win it

three times in a row. Then the man become the first man ever to win it

everybody has been waiting for. Been there, done it, got the T-shirt, got

the medals, got 27 world records. He there, done it, got the T-shirt, got

has won everything the race has thrown at him. So, Katherine

Grainger will start this race. Somewhat delayed. The Great Scottish

Run is underway. Make no mistake about it, Haile Gebrselassie might

be 40 years old but there is no doubt he wants to win this race. He

goes into every competitive environment at his disposal. He

always wants to win. As they head off towards the river and the

Kingston Bridge, it is a fairly steady incline over the first part

of the cause. I don't expect the first mile to be terribly quick.

They come streaming over the line. It will be some time before these

athletes start. We have heard quite a few stories of the money being

raised well where it is going to go to, the heartfelt stories connected

with the raising of the money. So many stories to be told. More on

that later. The last British woman to win this race was Liz McColgan.

In 1992, she won the race, set one of the fastest times ever on this

course. She is coming down from George Square. We will be speaking

to her in a moment. Sitting alongside me, a man who must be

delighted with what is happening here so far this morning, Brendan

Foster. Good morning to you. BRENDAN FOSTER: Good morning, Paul. You see

the elite group working away. The women's any men's races are mixed

together. It is a great opportunity for the leading women. Look at this

climb. It looks as though they are disappearing into the distance when

they get over the top. The men are disappearing into the distance when

already pursuing this. It is about 300 metres to the top of the hill.

From there, the course is relatively flat. It may demonstrate is a -- it

is a course for a good time. The elite field names are going

across the bottom. Some good athletes from Scotland. Andrew

Lemoncello, the leading Scottish runner. Katherine Grainger is going

to be there for some time. The streets of Glasgow look rather

crowded there, Paul. They certainly do. A few frustrated people there

thinking, when, oh, when, and my going to get to go over the starting

line? -- am I going. This group is going to get to go over the starting

led by Haile Gebrselassie. John Kelai is in the white next to him.

Andrew Lemoncello is having a look around. In that group as well,

wearing green, is Chris Thompson. Brendan, you would like to have a

word about Chris Thompson and one of the leading women, Steph Twell.

There is Chris Thompson. He is in the green vest. He lives in

Oregon a lot of the time. He runs well. When he came over, he ran 27:

40. Something happened, he wasn't selected for the World

Championships. He was really disappointed and disillusioned,

almost to the point of questioning whether he should keep going. Chris

Thompson is now out to prove himself on the roads. He's good athlete. It

with European silver medallist behind Mo Farah a couple of years

ago. He says he is fit. Haile Gebrselassie had a different

path, but similar. It took him a while to accommodate the marathon.

There is the women's lead group. Susan Partridge recently ran a

personal best for 10,000 metres. Wanjiku is a good athlete. Freya

Ross was Britain's representative at the Olympic Games in London last

year. She looks as though she is going to have a great future in the

marathon. She is coached by Steve Jones. She missed a lot of training

this year, as we can hear the bagpipes. Susan Partridge has had a

remarkable transformation. This is a big race for her. She is coming in

in good form and with great confidence. The masses are still

coming over the start line. They are moving freely.

Susan Partridge has already been selected for the Commonwealth Games.

The bulk of their track and field team has already been picked. A lot

of the runners have got, what, another 10-15 minutes before they

get over the start line. These guys are well ahead of. Six minutes into

their racing. Haile Gebrselassie leads. Junkie like surprise marathon

champion. -- John Kelai. Andrew Lemoncello is right on the back of

that group. He might find the going a bit tough here, because there is

no doubt that Haile we want to push on and push on for as long as

possible. Emmanuel Bett is there as on and push on for as long as

well. He's the world's fastest 10,000 metre runner last year.

Already, Haile Gebrselassie is trying to put distance between

Already, Haile Gebrselassie is himself and the rest. In the old

days he was a fearsome sprint finish. He tells me that these days

he finds it difficult to do Sprint training. Now he feels his asset is

his strength. He has decided, well, I might not sprint faster any more

but I am going to test them over the distance. Behind them is the danger,

and Emmanuel Bett of Kenya. He was the fastest at in 2012. He was

unlucky not to make the team for the Olympic Games. Haile leading

Emmanuel Bett. Lamdassem, the Spaniard, is just behind them. I can

see Chris Thompson working hard to stay in touch. Next to him, junkie

like in the Commonwealth marathon champion, and behind him, Jesus

Espana. -- John Key life. -- John Kelai.

He needs to try to close the gap. It is Gebrselassie. Just a few yards

there, jetting away from the pack, hopefully not for too much longer,

if the Scottish athlete, Andrew Lemoncello. While they are doing

that, another Scottish athlete, Susan Partridge, is really

stretching now and testing Wanjiku, next to her. Behind them is Freya

Ross. Susan Partridge is looking comfortable. Freya Ross is looking

very determined indeed. Polline Wanjiku, the young Kenyan, she only

got eight call up on Thursday. She won in Nottingham half marathon. Now

she begins to make a move. Freya Ross just coming up on the shoulder

of Susan Partridge. At the moment it is Wanjiku. Back to the men. Haile

Gebrselassie is leading, as we suspected. He wanted to make his

presence felt in the race. They are crossing the Kingston Bridge, which

is right in front of them. Gebrselassie, as like everybody

else, one of those seven. Andrew Lemoncello is trying to hold onto

that group, Brendan. He needs to work harder here. I'm delighted to

say that the great Liz McColgan has run a faster time than anybody on

this field today. She has come down from the start in George Square to

join us. Is she ready to speak? Good to be here? LIZ McCOLGAN: A great

day for running today. The conditions are really good. It could

be a fast course if they attack it right. It is looking good for the

athletes out there. Where you going well from George Square? I could

easily have jumped in! But I had my jeans on so there was no way it was

my day today. I had a good chat with some of the girls at the start, and

Chris. It was good to have a catch up. We are looking at the men's race

and we have the great Haile Gebrselassie. He is such a star. On

the start line, unlike you in your day, he smiles and says hello to

everyone and he is so happy. I remember Liz McColl gap, head --

McColgan, head down, getting ready. Yes, everyone is different and there

is no right way or wrong way. Iful with Hayley running today, he --

with Haile Gebrselassie running, he still loves it. He has a great

opportunity to win today. The front three pulling away from Chris

Thompson and the rest. At the start they're still there in their

thousands, creeping towards the starting point. That is only about

seven metres wide. Anybody who thinks that it will make a

difference, because of their starting time, don't worry they have

got chips on their feet. Not the edible sort! That is the racing

chips they all wear, as we see Susan Partridge and Freya Ross. The three

solitary competitors in the women's race. Just easing away from the rest

of the women. And of course this is a mixed race and look how much --

how much distance they have put between themselves and the rest. You

must be delighted to see Susan Partridge the way she ran in the

marathon in the World Championships. Yes, she is a Championship performer

and has proved it time and time again. She races really well. But

Sonia Samuels was also 16th. So great to see the two girls out there

and that they have recovered. Freya is on the road back from a bad

injury. So a lot of changes in her life. So it is good to see her

getting stuck in. The two top Scottish marathon runners already,

Susan Partridge selected for the Commonwealth Games. But Freya Ross

has to stay in contention. Bett of Kenya is testing again. The three

have opened a gap and I can see Chris Thompson trying to close the

gap. This is important for Chris, the three star athletes, that second

mile is 4.44, so they have picked up the gap. This is a difficult time

for Chris. I think he will be a good marathon runner and he needs good

experience on the road. In your position, Liz, what would you

thinking about Chris, does he have to close the gap quickly? Well, he

has had a topsy-turvy season. He started well running 28 minutes on

the track. But he never got to go to the World Championship. He is coming

back off a three-week break, so he is not at his fittest. But he is a

good competitor and this gap isn't going to close. I think his will be

a solo run. Tinge marathon will -- I think the marathon will be his

distance. It is exciting to see him do the half marathon in Glasgow.

When he moves up, I think he will be quick over the marathon. I the men

turning right back towards the river. Emmanuel Bett the only one of

the three who didn't take a drink. So confident that his form is going

to be maintained over the next couple of miles, Haile Gebrselassie

looking comfortable in second place and Lamdassem is rung well. Chris

Thompson is way off the back of the pace there. But he too is well ahead

of chasing group. At the moment in the men's race, Bett and the man who

is known as Haile Gebrselassie and then Llan Das Cem. -- Lamdassem.

Bett was the fastest 10,000 metre running last year. So he is in good

form. Lamdassem, we have seen him running against Haile Gebrselassie

in Manchester and he tracked him all the way. It was only a sprint finish

from Haile Gebrselassie that won him that one. But Haile Gebrselassie is

not hanging around. He knows his strength is his strength and he

needs to pile it on and try and keep them going and these athletes

processing well. Haile Gebrselassie them going and these athletes

conscious he was happy to lead for 12 miles in the Great Scottish Run

and Liz, it is still a pleasure to watch him run. Yes he has that

Ethiopian lope when he runs. It is great to watch. He makes it look so

easy. 14. 40 at the mark for Haile Gebrselassie.

Lamdassem has moved into second place. Ahead of Bett. And Haile

Gebrselassie just seems so Dom fortable -- comfortable running at

the front. You can see the gap fortable -- comfortable running at

between him and Chris Thompson as we go back to the women. The three main

protagonists there. Susan Partridge looks so comfortable at the front.

We had the split times from our statistician and they have just run

the fastest mile of the race for the men. Susan Partridge looks as if she

has closed the gap and now we are down in a race. This is a race and

Susan Partridge, the leading Scottish distance runner this year

with last year's top Scottish athlete in third and now getting

competitive. But look at Susan part rinl, she is taking -- Partridge,

she is taking the opportunity of following the men. She is hanging in

with the pace and that is Sonia Samuels husband, that will be a good

pace maker. He will help the girls out. But Susan did run a 10k last

week one second off her personal best. So she is in good shape. Back

to the men's race here and it is those three who have got away, lamb

December Cem -- Lamdassem is there. You can see the gap between these

leading three and Chris Thompson in fourth. If you look in the

background, you can see the famous Ibrox stadium, the home of Rangers

FC. That will be used for the Commonwealth Games. The leader at

the moment, Haile Gebrselassie. It reflects, I reflect 110 years ago at

Ibrox it was the scene of one of great feats in racing, Alex Shrub

broke records at six, she, seven and eight mile and he set a world record

and it was the first world record over the hour run. And the current

record holder for the current hour run is Haile Gebrselassie. So here

we are in Glasgow, Alf Shrub was recognised as the greatest distance

runner in the 1900s. And this man is recognised as the greatest distance

running athlete. Alf Shrub is a member of the England athletics Hall

of Fame. If there was an Ethiopian Hall of Fame, no doubt who would be

first on the list. Haile Gebrselassie has set 27 world

records. But Pauline Mangiku has been dropped and Partridge and Ross

are looking strong. Yes, this is probably Freya's first competitive

race back after injury and it is only seven weeks since Susan did her

marathon at the worlds. So it is great to see them both running for

Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. What do you think about the

selectors coming in early and saying the Scottish team will be selected

now and they know that they have been picked and they will compete.

Could they ease off? I think it is early myself. I think they have

filled up slots in a lot of places and they have cut off the

opportunity for others to qualify. But you know, good luck to those

that have been selected. Because now they can sit back and think I don't

need to worry about doing trials and I can train. I think it is early in

the day to do selections like that. There speaks the authority. Liz was

the former chairman of the Scottish Athletics Federation and if she had

been in charge, nobody would have been picked yet. I think you have

got to give people fair opportunities and that is what

trials are for. As an athlete is that a couple of seconds off the

time, knowing others have been selected, I think it is unfair. We

saw Ibrox away to the right hand selected, I think it is unfair. We

side. But is in is the long distance view of the leading three. Haile

Gebrselassie, lamb December Sam and -- Lamdassem and Bett. There is

hardly a couple of feet between them. Haile Gebrselassie still at

the front and still leaning forward. He has got that fairly wild right

hook action in his right arm there. Just having a look. But he is

getting no help with this at all. They did four miles in 18. 49. The

last mile was 4. 40. Now, he wants help. But lamb December Sam and Bett

-- Lamdassem and Bett don't want to take it up. Now he has gone racing

past. I think Haile Gebrselassie said, I have done my share, you do

some of yours. That was a bit exuberant of Emmanuel Bett and now

he has opened up a gap. He has set off like a startled rabbit and has

gone away. Now Haile Gebrselassie is chasing. You can see he has

increased the pace. Just to close that gap. He doesn't want him ten

yards down the road. He wants to be on his shoulder. When you're Haile

Gebrselassie you're allowed to do that. Lamdassem has been dropped.

The leafy avenue there. It has taken a while for Haile Gebrselassie to

get back on terms with Emmanuel Bett. But Lamdassem is way behind

now: Haile Gebrselassie may have had to produce too much of a burst to

get back on level terms. He wants it to be known that Bett is not away.

And we look back at the women and Susan Partridge is opening a gap

between herself and Freya Ross. The Susan Partridge is opening a gap

women are on for a good pace and Freya looks as if she is struggling.

They went through 5k in 16. 37. Ross was 16. 38. The other Scottish

competitor was way back in fourth in 17. 20. And to gie you an idea as to

where that would sit on the all time list. Paula Radcliffe holds the

record at 65. 40 and Liz McColgan is the second fast, 67.11. So they're

going to have to get close to 70 minutes to get close. This was one

of the events that Liz preferred. She was a great 10,000 runner, world

champion, but the in between the 10,000 and the marathon, the half

marathon was an vent you enjoyed. Yes it suited my style and the half

marathon was the best distance, because you were running at a good

pace and you still got the intensity of a track runner. #10i9 is a good

-- so it is a good mix. You normally see some good 10k runners being able

to shift over the half marathon. Emmanuel Bett, he is testing himself

today. He hasn't had a brilliant year this year. He has had a decent

10,000 metre race. But he hasn't been able to mix it as much as he

would like. He was injured recently. He was fourth in the Kenyan trials.

Gebrselassie knows about him. He said to me yesterday, I hope he

isn't as fast as he was last year. He is doing what Haile told him. I

think Haile will take his turn fairly soon. Together they are

working away from Lamdassem. Certainly, Gebrselassie is doing a

sensible thing by getting back on level terms with Emmanuel Bett. He

is sticking with him. Lamdassem is some way behind. Certainly hasn't

given up the ghost. He is 40 metres behind Gebrselassie and Emmanuel

Bett. Gebrselassie is making Emmanuel Bett know he is there. Just

going around Bellahouston Park. Conditions are still almost perfect

for road running. Turning right into the park. These two and Lamdassem

are well ahead of everybody else. You can see the difference in the

cadence and stride between Emmanuel Bett and Gebrselassie. Gebrselassie

is desperate to get some water down him. This time, Emmanuel Bett does

take some water on board. We are in the magnificent Bellahouston Park. I

remember the world Cross Tran -- cross-country Championships here

many years ago. It rained all day. The athletes ran in the old

cardboard style numbers. Leaves will remember. All of the numbers fell

off. -- Liz McColgan will remember. They all I had -- they all had

shreds hanging from their shirts. Those were the days. Susan Partridge

is just beginning to pull away a little bit from Freya Ross. You were

saying earlier, aliens, -- that he little bit from Freya Ross. You were

has got a personal best of around the same time. Just

slower than Susan Partridge. LIZ McCOLGAN: Freya Ross has just come

back from injury. Susan is in good nick. Nick Samuels is a 1500 metre

runner, and so he is going for a different time today.

Just looking there at Chris Thompson. He is still in fourth

place in the men's race as we get back to Susan Partridge.

BRENDAN FOSTER: She is running well now. It was tough for her at the

World Championships. She stuck to her task. She ran cautiously and

sensibly and came through. Afterwards she was thrilled to

finish 10th. For her, looking to the Commonwealth Games, that was

absolutely wonderful. There are the men together. Haile Gebrselassie and

Emmanuel Bett, they are pulling ahead of Lamdassem, the Spanish

athlete. These two are tracking together, racing together, sharing

the pace. They want to encourage the pace to keep going. I know Haile was

conscious of the sprint finish. Because he is not able to do speed

training at this time of his career, because he gets injured, he has to

try to win these races at the halfway point or just beyond. We

have got a race on here now. Emmanuel Bett against Haile

Gebrselassie. We saw them running through the streets of Newcastle

with Mo Farah. It suggests to me once again that Emmanuel Bett is

injecting a bit of pace again. They are heading back to the river.

We saw what happened at the great North run. They stretched away and

injected a bit of pace along the seafront. We saw what happens to Mo

Farah. He lacked a bit of age. -- bit of age.

The two younger men allowed Haile to -- bit of age.

set the pace. It was a great race to watch. LIZ McCOLGAN: He ran really

well. We tend to forget he is 40. When you have trained as hard as he

has. His training has changed. He is doing more sustained and steady

running. You are seeing it in his racing now. He lacks the speed at

the end that he used to have. He has set a best time for several

distances. He has six best times and various distances for people over

the age of 40. He has produced some remarkable times. He is still on the

shoulder of Emmanuel Bett. 31 minutes of running garden, and there

are the athletes coming down to Bellahouston Park on the other side

of the road. I think Haile will get much more

cheering than Emmanuel Bett, coming down this way. Haile has been in

town for three days in the ass taken the place by storm. -- and he has

taken the place by storm. We will get the official time. This

is an interesting development. Susan Partridge is the leader in the

women's race. The gap is opening. She has put about 25 metres on her

there. LIZ McCOLGAN: The two girls training Colorado. I think Susan is

in the shape of her life. She has really recovered well.

Nick Samuels there, alongside Susan Partridge. He is finding life quite

difficult. He has got a personal best just outside of 70 minutes. I

wonder if Susan Partridge can get on level terms with him. That is quite

a useful time in itself. I'm sure she knows she is on for a

personal best herself. He will help to pull her through.

Freya Ross there, behind Susan Partridge. Just having a look back

down and the masses, who are beginning to come away from the

river. Just to give you an idea of the overall situation... Haile

Gebrselassie is just in the lead. Lamdassem is seven seconds behind

these guys, maybe more. Chris Thompson, clearly in fourth place at

these guys, maybe more. Chris the moment. He is head of Jesus

Espana. -- he is head. Haile Gebrselassie now seems

confident enough to go into the lead.

BRENDAN FOSTER: He is now thinking about how he can win this race. It

is not world shattering pace at the halfway point. Haile knows that if

Emmanuel Bett is near top form, he is going to be hard to shake off. He

is thinking, if I don't get rid of him in the next couple of miles,

he's going to haunt me towards the finish. Haile Gebrselassie is not

just a great athlete but a fantastic competitor. We have seen the best of

Haile. There is Freya Ross in second place in the women's race, coming

back to form. I hope she has got some information. Susan Partridge is

running really well in the lead. Look at the style of Freya Ross. She

looks to be in control. She is returning to form now. She had a

great run in the Olympics two years ago, but has struggled since.

Going with the injuries she has had, this is a positive run for her. I

will never forget the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1986.

They don't realise how fantastic it will be to represent Scotland in the

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. That is an experience you will never get

a game. It is amazing. It was life changing for me. Whether

you win a medal or not, just to run in front of your home crowd is going

to be the best feeling ever. They are fortunate to have the Games in

Glasgow. It is great to see how the time has changed. I ran along the

canal last night, and I couldn't believe the restaurants and the new

buildings. It is great for the city. I can see you are still getting

itchy when you see the women's races.

There are two Liz McColgans, one who is relaxed and giving us great

commentary and vice, and the other who is twitching. I just love

athletics. I love athletes to perform. When

athletics. they perform well, it is exciting. I

get excited by performance. That is what I was all about. That is why it

is fantastic to see Haile. Tell you something, looking at the

split times, Susan Partridge's personal-best at 10,000 metres is

33.18. Today she has run 33.25. She is in the form of her life. She has

been running really well. She was surprised last week to be only a

second off her personal best. She ran very come to be in that race.

She has improved. It is exciting to see her running so well. When the

Commonwealth Games comes, I'm she will be right up there in the middle

positions. She is coached by Dylan last major international winner in

the marathon. -- by the last major international winner.

The lone figures in the front, Emmanuel Bett in the blue, Haile

Gebrselassie, the greatest distance runner of all time, in second place.

They are not many countries in the world where Haile has run and not

one. Scotland is one of them. He is staggered at the response he got.

Everybody knows Haile Gebrselassie. 20 years ago, he set his first world

record. Since then he has gone on to break 27 world records. They

certainly know about him. They know about him in Glasgow. They are great

sports fans. Next year, we will see they are great fans of the

Commonwealth Games. The last event was a bit of a disappointment.

Glasgow is already injecting some much-needed impetus. The Games in

Glasgow are going to be wonderful. Haile said, why aren't Ethiopian in

the Commonwealth? ! It is bad enough having Kenya in

there, in the sense that all of their distance runners will be going

for gold medals. If you are, that would be a step too far. These two

are so far ahead. -- Ethiopian. Just getting a good view of how far

ahead they are of Lamdassem and Chris Thompson as everyone else. As

they come past this magnificent building. Well, I was there last

night watching Rod Stewart! Fantastic show. And he finished with

Sailing, and we were all joining in and they were showing pictures of

boats being launched, the Queen Mary being launched on the Clyde. And

there is the Finney ston crane, a symbol of shipbuilding. Haile said

he wouldn't come to see Rod Stewart, he said I have to get to bed,

because I'm racing. The crane in the background and then these

ultramodern buildings. The latest you saw there, the Hydro, it is an

ultramodern buildings. The latest extraordinary building, Bren dan. It

has just opened and Rod Stewart has been on there and Fleetwood Macwere

on and it is a fantastic arena and it will be a centre piece of

Commonwealth Games. They will have the gymnastics and the boxing. But

this dockland area has been re-developed. Liz was saying when

she was out are upping, even during the night it is a picture. But it is

a wonderful transformation of this great city with the shipbuilding and

engineering history and now we are seeing modern architecture at its

best. That is 14 seconds slower than the

very quick 4.22 for the mile between six and seven miles that. Was the

fastest mile of the race so far. But very steady and Haile Gebrselassie

will not let go. He can't let go now. They're through nine miles as

we look back at Susan Partridge, running the race of her life. If she

can keep at the same pace. She looks as if she has slowed. Yes, she has

slowed. She went through 10k a few seconds off her personal best. And

we have the other Scottish goal in 34. 37. So their going at a good

pace. So she is going to tire. But she is on her own, so that might be

difficult on this course as she turns down. There will be some good

times. Freya Ross will run a terrific time if she can keep at

that pace. They're through eight miles. This will be an interesting

race. There is a four-minute difference in the lifetime best

race. There is a four-minute between Susan Partridge and Freya

Ross. So you would expect there to be a gap. I wonder how far back

Freya Ross is. I can't quite see her at the

have gone through the eight-mile mark. Despite the fact that we are

seeing Susan Partridge is slowing, she is actually keeping it together

with a pretty good pace there. The men on the other hand are just

through the 15 kilometre mark. Emmanuel Bett, the same time given

for Haile Gebrselassie. So again is still there. We have a different

monitor up there and I can see that Haile Gebrselassie is running

alongside Bett. Lamdassem 25 seconds behind them. One thing is for sure.

We are not going to get a three-time winner here. In this Bank of

Scotland Great Scottish Run. It will be a new winner. And Haile

Gebrselassie, the first time he has ever raced here. I wonder if he can

win it? It is all going to be down to a Great North Run type of finish

isn't it? Haile Gebrselassie just alongside Bett. I wonder whether

Bett is feeling the pace at the moment. Again just looking very

comfortable. For this stage of the race, Brendan? Well the athletes are

on schedule here for about a 61 minutes, which will be the fastest

time run on this course. But who will win and will they go faster in

the later stages? They're on scheduled for a good #250i78. --

time. A Haile is running the same pace as in the Great North Run. They

are approaching the 10-mile point. Looking at the list of previous

winners. Kenyan winners have taken what, about eight or nine of the

last ten or 11 races all together. At the moment, it is Ethiopia

against Kenya. No surprise there. As they head off left away from that

area that we have just had a look A I wonder whether Haile Gebrselassie

learned something from the Great North Run. This is where he lost it

on that occasion. I think that is where Mo Farah last it too in the

Great North Run. A slight down hill stretch, whiches not only -- which

is not only stretching the athletes. Haile Gebrselassie looking around.

He does want more help. Which Bett is not prepared to do at the moment.

He does want more help. Which Bett Here they are as they turn on to the

river. Here is the 10-mile point as we see the steel hulled three

mastered Glenlee that was built on the river in 1896 and has been

restored and is now part of this wonderful Maritime Museum. The

riverside museum has many of the maritime possessions here. The time,

46 minutes on the clock. Just through ten miles, 46. 26. This a

sub-61 pace. That is the fastest run we have seen in the Great Scottish

Run and these two as they pass the wonderful sight of the Glenlee. A

twist on the corner. Round the museum of transport and then along

the river bank. Basically, there is the man in third, Lamdassem. From

Spain. He has run the majority of the race totally on his own. So it

has been a pretty lonely existence for him. Some way behind Emmanuel

Bett and again. Chris Thompson is a long way behind and in fact he is

now in fifth place as we see Susan Partridge and Espana, the Spanish

European medallists, who has moved ahead of him and by a good 15

seconds or so. Susan Partridge, just coming past the Hydro. And those

panels on the side there light up in the evening. I don't know what

colour it was last night when you were there, Brendan? It was green

and white, it was Rod Stewart putting his Celtic colours on show.

He was putting footballs into the crowd and I was hoping to catch one,

but he wasn't able to get as far as the pack seats where I was. -- back

seats. What do you mean the cheap seats. No they were the good seats!

Still no sign of Freya Ross. So she is a long way ahead of second place

at the moment. And Liz, Susan Partridge heading toward a good

season in 2013 and building up now for 2014. There is the fourth place

man. That is Espana. We said he was ahead of Chris Thompson by 15

seconds or so. I think it must be more than that now. He is on his way

back after operations on the bone right next to his Achilles tendon.

He wants to be back on the track next year. He said I would love Mo

Farah to run the 10,000 next year and leave the 5,000 for me. Well, he

is a former champion at the 5,000 and he beat Mo in the World

Championships. Now we have about eleven or 12 minutes left and as we

head back into the city, the crowds are collecting down towards the city

centre. And they're heading in there and now it is about thinking about

how you might win it. Ten minutes of running left for these athletes. I

wonder... It is interesting to see Andrew Lemoncello in sixth. He has

always struggled with jet lag. So this is the first time he has

decided, he flew in late yesterday and he stayed up all night and he

didn't want to get into the British way of sleeping. So this is has it

worked or not worked. Looking at the time it looks as if it has not been

a good choice by staying up all night. Well, he knows his body and

how it reacts to jet lag better than anyone. But I think most people w

heard that thought it was a lilt bit extreme to go to the lengths that

apd went to. -- Andrew Lemoncello went to. But now it is down to

wills, and who wants it most? Haile Gebrselassie, every time we see him,

he takes a couple of paces out of Bett and then Bett gets back to him

and then Haile Gebrselassie goes again. I wonder if he is testing him

a bit. But it is a straight line now down to Glasgow Green and the

finish. Just behind where we are sitting here. Two solitary figures

there battling it out. Susan Partridge, now, is she tiring a bit?

there battling it out. Susan Look at the gap between herself and

Freya Ross. Its almost a minute. But Look at the gap between herself and

Susan Partridge is suffering? Yes, she did go off rather fast, but she

is still looking strong and she is holding it together. It is a good

run from Freya in second, on her way back from injury. So two solid

performances so far. We have been lucky with the weather. Although it

is raining, it is quite humid and it is great conditions. Freya Ross

there, her split time at 15k, she looks to me as if she is heading for

a personal best. Her best is 72 minutes. Susan Partridge best is 70

minutes and 30 second. Susan Partridge is very close to her best.

Hers is the ninth fastest time ever by a British athlete over a half

marathon. Now, she has got Mick Samuels for company. And if he is

helpful, that will be a real advantage to Susan Partridge. She is

working hard and determined to keep it going and to try and run this

time and she has a new-found confidence. That is what happens

when you run well in a major international Championship. She is

now based in Leeds, but she is proud of representing Scotland and will be

looking forward to the Commonwealth Games. Thifs is an announcement. --

this is an announcement that she is going to be competitive in the

marathon in the Commonwealth Games and the people of Scotland will be

delighted to hear. They certainly will. Just having a look at the

athletes lower down the table. Pauline Wanjiku is getting closer.

That is an important step in the right direction for Steph Twell. If

she can get third, that will be a boost to her confidence leading into

the Commonwealth Games seasons. Steph again too has had a very mixed

season this year. She had an awful injury and had to get pins put into

her ankle and it has took her a long time to get pack. So it is great

that she is out here attempting the time to get pack. So it is great

half marathon. Well, it is anybody's guess as to who can take this one.

Haile Gebrselassie or Emmanuel Bett. I wouldn't want to put money on it

at this stage in the race, but they seem to have increased the pace as

we go back to the Glenlee and that is where Susan Partridge is. What a

fine prospect Susan Partridge has turned out to be. She is looking a

little bit tired. But she has got some help there from Mick Samuels

and both of them going well. And past the riverside and here is a

move by Haile Gebrselassie. Haile is trying to win this and he has opened

a gap. But Emmanuel Bett is a fast finisher and Haile's power at the

finish has diminished. And Haile is pouring it on. This is a a real

strong move and the first serious move to try and win the race. Bett,

don't forget, was last year's fastest 10,000 metre runner in the

world. He looked to be full of running earlier and ran aQuaye --

away quickly. I thought he was overpowering high y. They have just

over a mile to go and they're coming into the city centre and people will

be able to see on the television screens as they pass the newspaper

headquarters there. And there is Haile, no time to read the papers

today. Time to get going. And the crowds are moving and settling down

and seeing the yellow vest of great man who has never run in Scotland

and I don't think there is any country where he has run in which he

has not won a race. LIZ McCOLGAN: It is a pleasure to watch him. He looks

so comfortable. That is what you have to have in distance running.

You can't force it. You can see his right arm is

You can't force it. working. His left arm is fairly

static. Yesterday he explained that working. His left arm is fairly

when he ran to school as a kid, he carried his books and his left arm.

He was driving with his right arm. He says he has tried to get rid of

that action where the right arm works and the left arm sits there

passively, but he says, I've never been able to do it. I don't think

I've ever seen any athlete but is perfect. -- that is perfect. But he

has shown what perfection in running in. It is hard training, working,

and a dodgy arm! The man with a dodgy arm has taken

100 metres out of Emmanuel Bett in the last mile or so. But he is

paying a price for it. Maybe if we can have a look back and see what

the gap is. You will get a good idea. There we are. It is a good 100

metres, isn't it? Gebrselassie has broken and just the right time as

they had along the embankment. Inside the last mile. Glasgow Green

is ahead of them. Just in the distance, on the right-hand side,

you can see Glasgow Green. There you are, the marquees are where we are,

and that is what they are aiming for. It is not far to go.

Gebrselassie is the man that everybody is hoping can win it here.

It will bring a boost to road running in Scotland, that is for

sure. You can't say he doesn't deserve it. Neither does Susan

Partridge. She really has performed well here. It has been an individual

race. She just looks full of determination, as she has from the

start. It looks as though she might be getting away from the man who has

paced her all the way, Nick Samuels. She is just ahead of him. Nick is on

his own now on the other side of the road. Susan Partridge looks as

though she has got some of that great and determination back again,

that she had in the beginning. She is running well now. 70 minutes

is her target. She has got the She is running well now. 70 minutes

conditions to do that. She hasn't She is running well now. 70 minutes

got the competition. She has had good help from Nick Samuels

alongside her. They're here is, just drifting to the far side. Susan

Partridge, well, you would have to say she is one of the most improved

athlete in Britain this year. 10th in the World Championships. There,

overhead, you can see the yellow vest of Haile Gebrselassie with a

couple of minutes' running ahead of him. There were three of them

together. Lamdassem was a bit of a danger. He is only a few seconds

outside the 61 minute pace. The course record in 61 minutes and ten

seconds. He told us he was here to win this race. It looks as though he

is going to win the race. Can he said a record? Can it be the fastest

half marathon ever in Scotland? 61.10 is the record. He wore them

down. He realised he had to be ahead of the field. He injected a quick

mile between 11 and 12 miles. 4.39 was a quick one. That did the damage

to Emmanuel Bett, who was looking dangerous. Look at his action. Even

after all these years, he has got a beautiful action. The records he has

set have been formidable. There he goes, under the bridge. The yellow

vest appears on the other side. Now these people are re-lies

Key is going to hear the applause in a few seconds. -- he is. He can just

about see the finish from here. A few hundred metres to go for the

greatest. He has just got enough energy left to put on a little bit

of a show at the end. 200 metres. Haile Gebrselassie is doing here

what he could do in South Shields. On that occasion he was beaten by

two good athletes indeed. This time it is going to be so, so close. Just

61.10 is the record. Can he get inside it? Surely he can. Haile

Gebrselassie, very close... That is a course record! Gebrselassie wins.

61.06. Not only has he done it, he has produced the fastest time ever

for the half marathon distance. There is Emmanuel Bett, finishing in

second place. A couple of miles back, Gebrselassie just put on a bit

of a spurt. Then there was a second one and a half mile later. 61.36.

Those two were way, way ahead of anybody else. Lamdassem, a former

Moroccan, now running for Spain. He has run the majority of this race

totally on his own. That is just outside his lifetime best. We have

our first three. Where is the first Briton? The first three there are

off to have their photographs taken. We're waiting for Jesus Barna, who

just ahead of Chris Thompson. -- Jesus Espana.

Whether Chris has managed to make up the 15 seconds, we are not sure.

Brendan, what about Haile Gebrselassie? He truly is the

greatest. You can't say more than that, can you? BRENDAN FOSTER:

Absolutely right. He came here, promised to try and win it. He has

never been here before. He's coming here for the first time in his

running career at the age of 40, and he has run the fastest time ever in

this race. We can see the former European champion, Jesus Espana, who

is coming back from serious injury and multiple operations. Now an

athlete who has got ambitions to run on the road. He says his big

ambition for next year is to win the 5000 metres again at the European

Championships. His big hope is that Mo Farah will give it a miss and

Championships. His big hope is that only run the 10,000 metres. There he

is, Paul. Jesus Espana, way ahead of Chris

Thompson. There is Chris Thompson, just coming into the finish area.

Jesus Espana is about 100 and metres ahead of him. Certainly good to see

this man and Mo Farah on course for a European title again. We think Mo

Farah will get out of that one. Jesus Espana wins the battle between

him and Chris Thompson. Andrew Lemoncello is putting on a spurt. I

wonder if Chris Thompson knows where Lemoncello is. He is gaining with

every stride. Chris Thompson is just taking a glance behind him.

He is certainly confident of crossing the line in fifth place. He

is running this like a triathlete would finish the race. LIZ McCOLGAN:

It is strange to see him celebrating fifth place. He is enjoying it. He

has used it as a training run. It is going to be interesting to see

Chris Thompson run the full marathon distance. Lemoncello crosses in

sixth place. A good result for him. Whether the experiment worked in

terms of going to bed later to see which works... He stayed up all

night and said he would have a nap before the race. I don't know if it

works out for him. It is not his quickest time.

I bet he is not the only one who stayed up all night. Maybe!

Looking back down the course, about a mile and a half behind is Susan

Partridge. How much strength has she got left to bring it on home? She

has got a lifetime best of 70.32. She ran it earlier on this season.

She was well ahead of Freya Ross earlier on. She seems to have

regained the length of stride, the cadence, without too much of the

problem. She is suffering a bit, make no mistake. She has run its

very hard. At the moment Susan Partridge is well in the lead in

going for what we hope will be a very fast time.

It has only been seven weeks since she did before marathon. Most

people's legs are only coming around after about six weeks. Things are

people's legs are only coming around looking good for her for the

Commonwealth Games, 2014. She has got great times ahead of her

now. She has got a confidence boosting season and the glories of

victory. Her victory in the Great Scottish Run is assured. She's going

for it now. She knows she has got the race in the bag. Then it is

about the time. They know what times they do in training. They know what

their targets are. Her target today, surely, is a personal best.

It is going to be close, though. 70.32 is her personal best. It is

going to be very tight on that. She has got to enjoy this victory. These

are good times in her career. Susan Partridge spent a lot of time

training up here and Glasgow. Recently she has been living and

working in Leeds. Here she is, looking good. She is looking really

strong. She has been consistent from the

start. She looks as though she has load -- has slowed down a bit. She

trains in Colorado. It has worked well for her. The consistency and

miles there in training have showed. So just one figure we are all

looking at now. We plan ahead to look at where Glasgow Green is, and

there it is. There is the finishing area. We adjust to the left-hand

there it is. There is the finishing side that. So, back to Susan

Partridge. -- we are just to the left hand side of that. Freya Ross

there, back in second place. She is, goodness only knows how far

behind Susan Partridge she is. She seems to have slowed a bit. But her

form is suffering too much. The cadence is a bit less. Freya Ross

surely is going to batter her lifetime best as well. There is

Susan Partridge. Now, come on. She is going to be just outside that

lifetime best, I feel. But she is getting close. It could be on. It

could be on. She has just got this last turn, then the last 150 metres

or so beyond the arch. She could do it. But it is going to be close.

Certainly the crowd will be well aware of the fact that she is going

to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games next year. They

will be at her to give her as much support as possible. She is going to

be outside 70 minutes. Susan Partridge will get very close to her

lifetime best. That will give her confidence and know she can go into

the remaining races this season full of running. Maybe did a bit too much

earlier on. But it will be very close. 70.32 is the time she is

aiming for. No doubt about the fact that Susan Partridge is number one

in Glasgow and probably in Britain at the moment and it is going to be

just outside. But what a great ricketry -- victory by Susan

Partridge in this Great Scottish Run. It shows she is delighted.

Freya Ross is coming into the park. That will be a huge lifetime best,

Liz and that will delight the Scottish crowd, as well as the

athlete herself? Yes, two great performances from the girls. A

massive PB for Freya and especially coming back from a bad injury. So it

is looking good for Scotland for the Commonwealth Games. For Susan to run

just outside a personal best just after completing a marathon is

amazing. There is a lot more to come from here. -- her. If Freya Ross can

run in this sort of shape for half the distance, well... So Freya Ross

comes in second place behind Susan Partridge. She has got a lifetime

best of 72. 23 and it will be inside 72 minutes. A great second place for

Freya Ross. Belongs to the Chester-le-Street. Pauline Wanjiku,

we haven't seen much of her since the first two broke off. But the

Kenyan just lost her way a little bit. As they approach Bellahouston

Park, that is when the front three split up and they have been running

on their own and she is suffering as a result. But

outside that sort of time. But when Wanjiku gets third. She will be

shattered at the end of this. What a good race it was from Freya Ross and

from our winner. Pauline Wanjiku has been running all over Britain. There

is Stephanie Twell. She was gaining at one point. But she is back in

shape? Yes, it is great to see Steph do the half

Commonwealth Games she has been selected for the 5k. I can see her

being successful at the fulmar thon. She has had a couple of weeks off

and that is a good performance. And three Scottish women in the top

four. That says a loot for Scottish distance -- lot for Scottish

distance running? Yes and #we6 we have got a lot of men and women run

for Scotland that will be in more final and will have the opportunity

to win more medals. It is all coming right for us. I think when the

Commonwealth Games come, a lot of right for us. I think when the

the Scottish people will know these guys and be supporting them and it

will be a fantastic experience. I am sure it will. Steph Twell gets

fourth place. So applause all round from the front three. Susan

Partridge, Freya Ross and Pauline Wanjiku: Steph Twell was gaining on

Wanjiku at one point. But she couldn't keep the pace up. But

nevertheless the winner, Susan Partridge, can walk off the course,

being delighted with her performance. Well there we are, we

are back towards the Hydro. No Rod Stewart at this moment in time. But

certainly a lot of athletes. That has been quite a morning from the

women. One of the greatest athletes there has ever been in Haile

Gebrselassie, winning here for the first time in Glasgow and a great

tussle between three Scottish athletes and Pauline Wanjiku of

Kenya. And now we have got the general public. I hate to call them

joggers, they're not joggers, they're serious athletes this lot.

But they will be coming around the Hydroand the xibgs centre and the --

exhibition centre and the rest of the fantastic buildings in that part

of the River Clyde and the crane as well. And of course on the other

side of the river, the BBC! They will be coming around there for a

while, heading towards the finish. And so far so good with the weather.

Well, the wonderful riverside architecture of this hugely

transformed city, the Hydro, we will celebrate there next year for the

Commonwealth Games. But we have had a message from the Scottish

athletes, we have seen three women athletes featuring in the top four.

They're looking forward to celebrating Glasgow 2014 and today

is about the people of Glasgow. The conditions are good and we have seen

some great races and Haile Gebrselassie, the greatest of them

all, comes to Scotland for his first run and goes away with a victory and

a course record. So we have had a good morning. Lovely pictures there

of the finish. The rain has come on good morning. Lovely pictures there

fairly lightly. But it is still a beautiful day in Glasgow and a great

win for Haile Gebrselassie. What an incredible athlete he is and Susan

Partridge a fabtastic -- fantastic win. Earlier we heard from a guy

called Kevin Gallacher, who is running to raise money for a charity

set up by his grandfather and he is with Rhona. Kevin, you're looking in

fine form. Yes, I kept up with a couple of Kenyans for a couple of

miles, but then the ham string wouldn't let me go further. What

does it mean to be able to take part and be strong and fit after

everything you have been through? Just being able to go out and run

and do it and finish it. That is the only thing. I think these events are

quite emotional. But you have an emotional background to this, which

must make things, things going emotional background to this, which

through your mind that you wouldn't normally think of? Yes there is

people you think of who have passed away. My grandfather passed away and

he set up the hospice I am running for. We have an autumn ball in a

couple of weeks, so we can raise more money. You're hardly out of

breath? I was running, my friend Declan was with he, he disappeared.

I think he went down a ditch! But I fine. Do you have a time in mind?

I'm going to break my record, because it is my first time running.

Well done. Cheers! Well done to Kevin there is the picture at the

ten-mile mark the MV Glenlee and the piper piping them around the corner.

Think still have a few miles to go. Of course, everyone today has a

reason to run this race, over the course of the morning, hundreds of

thousands, if not millions, will be raised for charity over this

weekend. Everyone has a reason for doing it. Here a group to tell you

why they're taking part. I'm Heather, I'm eleven and I'm running

the family mile with my mum and dad. I'm Ann, I'm 47 and doing the family

mile and the 10k. Hi, aim Audrey and I'm 54 and doing the family mile and

running the 10k. I am Calum, I'm 15 and doing the family mile with my

mum. I'm raising money to support Viz yinlt and supporting my --

Visibility and supporting my partner, pawedry -- Audrey. I have

always wanted to race with my mum. So I'm looking forward to the family

mile. My mum's dragging me out of bed, but I'm happy to do the family

mile and support Visibility. I started to run after I lost my sight

and I have been running and supporting my charity and I love it!

Yeah! Sight loss hasn't stopped me from doing what I want to do and if

people are out there and they want to try something regardless of their

disability, just go for it. This is our run! Another beautiful and

inspirational story there. Ann, Audrey, Calum and Heather took art

in the family -- part in the family mile yesterday. The action started

with a mini-run and today's winner, Haile Gebrselassie, was the guest

-- guest of honour. It is my first proper race was at the Great

Scottish Run back when I was 12 or 13. It was back on Glasgow Green

when I did it. It is an event I enjoy. All the kids, they have the

numbers and they have the warm ups, it is totally different from the

school vents. The amount of children who are here shows how important

these events are and it brings everyone together.

This is race number three the family race.

Well has been a real festival of running this weekend and a moment to

save -- savour when the leaders crossed the finishing line. Plenty

of messages from everyone watching on TV. From as far afield Azar can

saw -- America. But certainly a moment that everybody here will

enjoy. The half marathon distance, I think is an excel leapt distance to

-- excellent distance to start your career. A marathon maybe too far.

But you still get a lot of first timers in a race like this. 11,500

people lined up and took to the streets. They took the streets of

Glasgow by storm. Certainly, a day to enjoy. It is a great opportunity

and there is not a lot of sports that you can get fun runners

actually running with the elite and it makes it so accessible to people

and you know to do a half marathon is such a challenge and you have got

to train for it. But it is something that you can do. It is a fantastic

distance to get involved in. Hello, I'm Lee, I'm 38 today and

this is my run. A year ago today I was 30 stone, working too hard in

the office, living off takeaways and not moving much. I decided to change

my life and I have lost ten stone in the last year. As a foster career I

have to attend annual medicals last year the doct of and I -- doctor and

I decided it was time to change my life. We have two great kids in our

xar. It is a short -- care, it is a short time arrangement, but we

wanted it to go long-term and I had to make guarantees that I was going

to be around to see them through their teenage years. It was not

difficult, all I had to do was give up the takeaways, get out walking

and keep my calory count to 2,000 a day. So in the last year my family

and friends have given me stick, calling me salad muncher and so on.

But I think they proud of me. Here is a spoiler alert, I won't win, but

if I get round at a brisk pace I will be pleased. I'm going to do

this to help them and thank them and to enkunch you to -- encourage you

to take up foster caring. So watch is in race, get your jacket on, go

for a walk and this time next year you can join me in the Great

Scottish Run 2014. We have got plenty more coming on

this programme. The half marathon set at about 1130 this morning. The

women's race was a cracker. Susan Partridge was the first of the

athletes, along with Freya Ross, to be introduced to the crowd. Early

doors, it was Susan Partridge. She was being led there by Wanjiku. She

eventually fell back from Susan Partridge, who was being shadowed

the whole way by Freya Ross. But Freya Ross herself began to fall

the whole way by Freya Ross. But behind a bit. The constant figure

there of Nick Samuels, running alongside Freya Ross for a long

time. Susan Partridge began to forge her way to the head of the field, a

long way ahead of anybody. Nick Samuels will still with her when

they went past the European Museum of the year, the Riverside Museum,

and Indo -- into Glasgow Green. An excellent performance by Susan

Partridge, already selected for the Commonwealth Games for Scotland.

I am with Susan Partridge, the win of the women's race. Susan, many

congratulations. How are you feeling? I feel great. I have just

won the race! It was a solo run for much of the race. Is that how you

were visualising it before you started? Not really. I thought it

would be closer, actually. My main aim was to be competitive, stay at

the front for as long as possible and be competitive for as long as

possible. I thought it would come and be competitive for as long as

down to the last couple of miles, or even a sprint finish, which I didn't

fancy at all. After three or four miles I started to head away. You

were saying you were at Glasgow Green on Friday in the visualised