Sign up for the Bupa Great Women's 10K now and be part of Britain's biggest and best all-female road race. This week, ANN FOTHERINGHAM talks to Frances Warnes, who is preparing for her 15th women's 10K, about why the race has such a special place in her heart -
IT WAS a 'things to do before you turn 40' article in a magazine that prompted Frances Warnes to take up running.
"One of the items on the list was 'finish the London Marathon' and I had always fancied having a go at it," says Frances. "My 40th was fast approaching, so I started jogging. The Glasgow Women's 10K, in 1999, was my first race."
Frances, now 51, has run the women's 10K – now the Bupa Great Women's Run – every year since.
As well as fulfilling her ambition and finishing the London Marathon, she has also run marathons in New York, London, Paris, Prague and Edinburgh, and completed a triathlon in New Zealand.
Despite having travelled all over the world since catching the running bug, Frances admits the Glasgow race has a special place in her heart,
"The Women's 10K is like no other run," she says. "It has a fantastic atmosphere, especially along the route. You hear the music at each kilometre mark, and the crowd is amazing. When you're struggling to keep going, they are your motivation."
Frances, who lives in Drymen, Stirlingshire, with her partner Johnny, is originally from London but moved to Scotland 25 years ago to run a hotel.
She has a son Michael, 18, and daughter Libby, 24, and fits her training around her day job as a driving instructor.
"A 10K is something most people can manage," says Frances. "It's a great achievement when you cross the line."
Frances has now set her sights on running the West Highland Way, an arduous 96-mile trail race from Milngavie to Fort William.
"I don't plan to give up long distance running just yet, although my knees are definitely feeling a little bit worn out," she says. "But for the moment I am concentrating on training for the Women's 10K – I can't wait."
The Evening Times is delighted to be media partner of the Bupa Great Women's 10K – Britain's biggest women-only road race – once more.
Over the coming weeks we will be bringing you news, features, training advice and more as we head towards race day. Each week we will print an instalment of our training plan, which is ideally suited for beginners.
You don't need to run the 10k – walking is fine, and many participants dress up and raise money for their favourite charity.
You can also get help with training and preparation on the website, www.greatruntraining.org
The Bupa Great Women's 10K, organised by Nova International and Glasgow Life, takes place on May 12 on the South Side.
More than 10,000 runners are expected to sign up.
The 2013 run will mark the 20th anniversary of the event. The Evening Times has been media partner for more than 15 years and more than £1million is raised each year for charity.
Nova International began running the event in 2012.
The company, which was established in 1988 by former Olympic medallist Brendan Foster, will also organise October's Great Scottish Run, in Glasgow.
Online entry is now available for the Bupa Great Women's 10K at www.greatrun.org/ womens10k
It costs £25, including a T-shirt, medal, finisher's pack and accurate chip timing.
