The 22nd staging of the Stirling 10K will take place on 10 September this year with its well-established course remaining the same as in previous years, only this year runners will get a better view of the course than ever before! More about that later...

This is a course that caters for all manner of runners; with a super-fast route offering fantastic views of Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument and the Ochil Hills the history buffs, speed demons and nature lovers are all catered for.

Organisers say: "In 2022 we introduced a whole load of new race day improvements such as pacers to 40, 50 and 60 minutes each with a large backpack flag showing the target time, free pre and post race massages, entertainment on the course with music, cheerleaders and bagpipes keeping our runners motivated. We also had the option of choosing between a finishers race T-shirt or having a tree planted in your name.

"And new for 2023 we have a drone company hired to film the event so you may be able to spot yourself from the skies!"

In 2021, 33 of the top 50 finishers ran a PB time, and in 2019 36 of the top 50 finishers did the same, so if ever there was a time to go for broke - this is it! Organisers do have this to say though: "Despite the super fast times recorded each year our race is not only for the speedy runners! It doesn’t matter if you run 30 minutes or 1 hour 30 minutes, everyone is welcome and the last finisher will get just as big a cheer as the first finisher!"

There is also a  2K Kids Fun Run for ages 7 to 14 which has an out-and-back course which follows the 10K route to the 1K mark where runners turn and head back to the finish. Adults are more than welcome to run with kids on the day but organisers are for 'no dipping at the finish line'!

If you'd like to know more, visit the Podfather Stirling 10K website.

Image: Drone Scotland