A former Olympic athlete has won the Paisley 10k for a third time this year.
Callum Hawkins, a former Olympic distance runner and current Scottish marathon record-holder, finished the race in just 29 minutes and 4 seconds.
A former European Cross Country Champion, Callum, who represented Kilbarchan AAC, even warmed up for the event by jogging from his home in Elderslie to the starting line.
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He said: “I’ve been doing this for a long time and was just a kid when I competed in my first Paisley Fun Run, so it’s always special.
“I’m feeling a lot fitter, a lot healthier than I’ve been in the last four or five years, so it’s good to get a time around the 29-minute mark.
“The crowds are amazing, and it’s good to see so many people so enthusiastic about the sport I love.
“I’m also lucky that this is just on my doorstep – I jogged over here for my warm-up and will probably jog back home.”
Garscube Harriers’ Anya MacLean, a first-time participant, won the women’s race, finishing with a time of 35 minutes and 14 seconds.
She said: “I was happy to get a good time, especially in the heat.
“It’s my first time running the Paisley 10k and it’s a great course, well organised and with a good crowd.
“The atmosphere was fantastic, with everyone so encouraging and I’ll definitely be back.”
The Paisley 10k was organised by OneRen and supported by Renfrewshire Council and Kilbarchan Amateur Athletics Club.
It saw a record-breaking 5569 runners taking part in the 10k and 3k fun run this year, an increase of 1000 on last year’s numbers.
The event had a “family-friendly” atmosphere, with many fun runners raising money for charities and local sports clubs, and some even crossed the finish line with their babies in buggies.
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Lorraine Cameron, Renfrewshire’s Provost, said: “The Paisley 10k and Fun Run is one of Renfrewshire’s biggest outdoor participation events and I’m delighted that more people than ever before have taken part, all cheered on by their family and friends.
“The sun always shines on Paisley, but today was truly glorious, with a record-breaking event, and it’s a real honour to see so many people achieving their goals and the joy on their faces as they crossed the finish line.
“Everyone pushed themselves so hard, people of all ages and abilities, from veterans of the Olympics to babies in buggies.
“That’s what makes the Paisley 10k and Fun Run truly special.
“I want to thank all of the OneRen staff, volunteers and our partners, not least Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland and our supporters at Kilbarchan AAC, who came together to make this event one of Scotland’s very best.”
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