Record 35,000 runners at AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2026
Jamie Crowe and Katrina Ballantyne won the half marathon titles as a record 35,000 participants made this the biggest staging in the event's history.
A record 35,000 runners participated in the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run across the weekend, confirming its status as Scotland's biggest running event. Jamie Crowe and Katrina Ballantyne claimed the elite half marathon titles in Glasgow, where four-time Olympian Eilish McColgan started the main race.
Elite performances in the half marathon
Jamie Crowe of Central Athletics Club won the men's half marathon in 1:03:27. He finished almost two minutes clear of his nearest rival. Katrina Ballantyne of Leeds City Athletic Club took the women's title in 1:13:33.
The full podium results for the half marathon were as follows:
| Position | Name (Club) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamie Crowe (Central AC) | 1:03:27 |
| 2 | Jamie Burns (Shettleston Harriers) | 1:05:24 |
| 3 | Dougie Selman (Corstorphine AAC) | 1:06:52 |
| Position | Name (Club) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katrina Ballantyne (Leeds City AC) | 1:13:33 |
| 2 | Brogan Wallace (Shettleston Harriers) | 1:15:16 |
| 3 | Amy Frankland (Lasswade AAC) | 1:16:00 |
Event starters and junior engagement
Eilish McColgan, a four-time Olympian and Scotland's 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, rang the bell to start the half marathon. Tartan Trekker Craig Ferguson sent off the 10K runners and also completed the half marathon course himself.
Over 2,000 children participated in the Junior and Mini Great Scottish Run at Glasgow Green on Saturday. They were escorted by Athena and Hammer, stars of the BBC show Gladiators.
10K results and wider participation
Lewis Hannigan of Kilbarchan AAC won the men's 10K in 29:32. Nancy Scott of Edinburgh Athletic Club took the women's 10K title in 33:27. Kyle Brotherton of Red Star AC won the wheelchair race in 31:17.
The event attracted notable participants from other sports. Paralympic skier Scott Meenagh took part in the 10K. Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith ran the 10K to raise funds for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
The course started on St Vincent Street, crossed the River Clyde, and for the half marathon headed south through Pollok Country Park before finishing via the McLennan Arch onto Glasgow Green. New additions for participants included an A Country Mile music zone, an AJ Bell Motivation Station, and a giant AJ Bell photo moment.
Craig Ferguson said: "I've covered a fair few miles this year, but nothing beats the noise of a Glasgow crowd." Entries for the 2027 AJ Bell Great Scottish Run are now open, with a Super Earlybird offer available for those who sign up before Monday 12 October.
