ATHLETES and fun runners are being urged to get off their marks to enter this year’s Paisley 10k Race.
The popular event – sponsored by Paisley First and the Decathlon sports and outdoors retailer – takes place on Sunday, August 21.

10/03/16.... PAISLEY Photocall to promote the Paisley 10k race Stuart Terris, Joyce McKellar, Gemma Rankin, Derek Hawkins and Ian Henderson

And the starting gun has been fired for people to register for the 10k race and shorter 3k Fun Run.
Last year, more than 1700 people raced around the streets of Paisley in the 10k and were quickly followed by 700 fun runners, many taking part to raise tens of thousands of pounds for their favourite charities and good causes.
Macmillan Cancer Support is the Paisley 10k Race official charity partner for the second year.

Great Britain marathon runners and local Kilbarchan Amateur Athletics Club athletes, Derek Hawkins and Gemma Rankin are planning to compete in the race again this year if their training schedules allow. Both are previous winners of the Paisley 10k and they were in the town yesterday to help promote the race.

Gemma said: “The Paisley 10k is good if you are a serious athlete because there is some real competition in the race”. “But it’s also great for getting people more active as they train for the 10k or the Fun Run”. “You don’t have to be Usain Bolt to enjoy yourself running, so I hope lots of people sign up for the race and have a great day out.”

The race and fun run, on a flat course, is being organised by Renfrewshire Leisure in conjunction with Renfrewshire Council.

Renfrewshire Leisure chief executive, Joyce McKellar said: “Anyone who has been to a Paisley 10k and Fun Run will know it’s a fantastic event to be part of. The town centre is full of people running, jogging or even just walking the course and there’s a great camaraderie with everyone taking part”.  “The amount of money raised for charities and good causes is phenomenal with being people sponsored to take part and complete the course”. “We’ve got all ages taking part – from primary school kids to pensioners – and there’s a real carnival atmosphere in the town on race day with lots of street stalls and entertainment”. “If you can put one foot in front of the other, why not consider putting in a wee bit extra training over the next few months and enter the Paisley 10k or Fun Run?”.

Joyce added: “There’s more than £1700 of prize money and trophies up for grabs in the Paisley 10k and for the fun runners there are prizes for the first boys and girls from primary and secondary schools over the finishing line.
“But the real prize for the fun runners is how much you will enjoy yourselves and the benefits to your health and fitness.”

You can register for the race by logging on to renfrewshireleisure.com or by telephoning 0141 842 3000 or picking up an entry form from any Renfrewshire Leisure venue.