Cumbernauld 10K a first-class event

The 2012 event is being held on Sunday, September 9 at Broadwood Stadium and organisers North Lanarkshire Council are hoping it will be even more successful.

A total of 470 runners took part, with 92 per cent of those who responded to the survey stating that the course, which takes in Broadwood Loch and the surrounding area, was above average or excellent. One hundred per cent said they planned to sign up for this year’s race.

As a thank you to the people who completed the survey, the organisers offered a number of prizes. Elaine MacAlpine, from Greenfaulds in Cumbernauld, was presented with the top prize of a new pair of trainers, with runners-up prizes of free entry to this year’s race going to Fiona McLuskey from Moodiesburn and Shona Aiken from Stirling.

Elaine was inspired to run the 10k in the first year of the event, 2007, when she was 50 and Cumbernauld itself was celebrating its 50th anniversary! She was new to the sport but enjoyed the event so much, she has taken part every year since.

Many runners (64 per cent) used the event to collect sponsorship for, among others, the event’s charity partners, the Scottish Spina Bifida Association and the Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments. In 2012, participants are being asked if they would like to make a donation when they sign up to the race – giving an extra boost to the two Cumbernauld-based charities.

The annual event is organised by the council in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire, Campsies Centre Cumbernauld Ltd and North Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd, with support from Strathmore Spring Water and the Cumbernauld News and Kilsyth Chronicle.

Alongside the main 10k race at 11 a.m., there will also be 1k runs for primary five, six and seven pupils starting at 10 a.m. and a 3k event for S1 to S4 age children at 11.10 a.m. Throughout the morning there will be plenty of free activities for families.

If you sign up for the 10k before August 1, entrants will enjoy an early bird discount on the entry fee. There are also discounts for Scottish Athletics and jogscotland members, and for residents of North Lanarkshire who are Access NL or Passport to Leisure members.

To register for the race, go to www.q-busters.co.uk or call 01236 437756 and for more information visit www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk. The deadline for entries is August 30.