A medical team took part in this year’s Great Scottish Run to inspire patients and promote the benefits of physical activity.
Staff from Denbridge Medical Practice in Glasgow joined the 10K event to highlight the positive impact of exercise on mental and physical health.
Their team — made up of 15 staff members, trainees and colleagues from the health and social care partnership — represented half of the practice’s workforce, which cares for 10,000 patients.
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Dr Elise Al-Asadi, a GP at the practice, said: “We weren’t sure if anyone would want to join us, but we were delighted by the response.”
Although some team members had previously completed the half-marathon, this year the focus was on inclusivity.
Dr Guy Pilsworth, GP partner, said: “A 10K felt less daunting for those who haven’t run much.
“We also have team members who are pregnant, so it was important to choose a distance that felt achievable.
“It’s more about the team experience, but we also wanted to run well, since corporate entries are ranked by the combined times of the four fastest runners.”
The team included a wide range of ages, abilities and fitness levels, including pregnant and post-pregnancy runners. For many, it was their first time running such a distance.
Receptionist Amanda also designed custom “Team Denbridge” T-shirts for the event.
Dr Al-Asadi said: “Running is usually seen as a solitary activity, but doing it together was a great bonding experience.”
The team hopes their involvement will encourage patients — especially those with chronic conditions — to consider getting more active.
Dr Pilsworth said: “Many people with chronic conditions feel events like this aren’t for them.
“We hope we’ve shown that just taking part is what matters.”
The event also helped build connections outside the surgery, especially with several new staff members recently joining the team.
Dr Al-Asadi said: “The atmosphere was electrifying — it made us proud to live and work in such a great city.
“It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day, but this helped us decompress and connect as individuals, not just colleagues.
“It’s given us a lot to chat about.”
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The Denbridge team placed 13th in the corporate rankings and now hopes to break into the top 10 next year.
Dr Al-Asadi added: “We’ve all agreed it’ll be a calendar event.
“And after surprising ourselves this year, we’re aiming for a top ten finish next time.”
To help keep the momentum going after the run, the practice is launching a page to share team stories, running tips and encouragement for patients who want to get more active.
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