The 2026 Great Scottish Run was the biggest in its history, with a record 35,000 runners taking part across the weekend of 2 and 3 October in Glasgow. The event combined a Saturday programme of junior and mini races, which drew more than 2,000 young runners, with a Sunday of 10km and half marathon races that filled the city's streets.
In the half marathon, Jamie Crowe took the men's title in 1:03:27, while Katrina Ballantyne won the women's race in 1:13:33. The 10km produced wins for Lewis Hannigan in 29:32 and Nancy Scott in 33:27, and Kyle Brotherton won the men's wheelchair 10km in 31:17.
Four-time Olympian Eilish McColgan started the half marathon, lending star presence to a race that prides itself on being as much a community celebration as an elite contest. As in previous years, the field was a mix of club runners, first-timers and charity fundraisers, with costumes ranging from a knight running the 10km in full plate armour to Shrek carrying Donkey.
The record attendance is notable against the backdrop of recent participation data, with some UK mass-participation events reporting softer numbers over the summer. A sold-out Glasgow weekend suggests that large, well-established city races continue to command demand even as other parts of the grassroots running scene fluctuate.
Organisers have already confirmed the dates for next year, with the 2027 Great Scottish Run scheduled for 2 and 3 October. Given this year's record, the focus is likely to turn to how far the event can grow while preserving the atmosphere that has made it one of Scotland's most popular days in the running calendar.