By Ann Fotheringham and Gillian Loney

MEET Julie, Elaine, Onye and Caroline. You may recognise them - they have, after all, been popping up all over the city in recent weeks.

You might have seen them in gyms, on billboards and leaflets - even on the backs of buses!

The four Glasgow women are poster girls for this year's Ignis Asset Management Women's 10k, which takes place next Sunday, May 10.

The Evening Times is media partner of the event.

Designers of this year's leaflets and ads were looking for four ordinary runners to feature in the promotional material, and through word of mouth, all four got involved.

"I said I'd pop along and have my picture done for a couple of leaflets," laughs Elaine Stewart, 30, who lives in Dennistoun.

"Next thing I know, I'm on the back of a bus!"

She grins: "It's been great, though - all my friends have been looking out for me across the city. One of them said to me the other day - saw you at the gym this morning, and when I said I hadn't been there she just laughed and said - your cardboard cut out was! Not many people can say that..."

Onye Attah, 26, who lives in the city centre, said seeing herself on almost life-size posters came as a bit of a shock. "I run with a girl who's friendly with one of the designers, and agreed to help out," she says, adding with a laugh: "I wasn't really expecting to see my photo plastered all over the city!"

Onye, who is a maths teacher at St Columba's High School in Clydebank, adds: "I've had lots of pupils coming up to me and saying Miss, is that you on the bus?' It's been really funny.

"Not sure if it's an alternative career for me - you never know!"

Onye is looking forward to the run, although she was knocked for six during the winter when she fell ill.

"I was off work for three months, and it took me a while to recover," she explains. "I am much better now, and training has been going well.

"So I'm not trying to get a fast time, or anything like that, I'm just looking forward to taking part. It's such a great day."

Elaine Stewart agrees. "The women's 10k is a really good way of getting into running - it makes you realise how much better you feel when you do a bit of exercise. And when you're running through the streets and people are cheering you on and handing you sweets and water - you can't beat that feeling, it's amazing."

Elaine ran her first ever 10k last year, and says she caught the running bug as a result.

"It was fantastic - I wasn't a runner at all, or even particularly sporty, but it was just such a great event that it really gave me an adrenaline buzz and I wanted to do more," she says.

Elaine, who is an advertising designer, adds: "Running is a great way to get fit, and it's been nice feeling a little healthier and better while I've been training.

"I've even persuaded a few colleagues to come out training with me at lunchtime, so it's been a lot of fun."

Meanwhile Julie Fitzpatrick is looking forward to the billboards coming down almost as much as the race.

Julie, an HR advisor for Strathclyde Fire Brigade, says: "I'm quite embarrassed about it all. My friends and family slag me off about it all the time now."

She adds: "I've actually cut my hair differently since then, and now I have a fringe. I'm still denying it's me to be honest!

"Lots of people are suspicious but because I look quite different in it I can get away with saying it's not me."

A career in modelling is "absolutely not" on Julie's agenda at the moment, but she is excited about the run. She has been a keen runner for years, and has competed in marathons for charities such as Marie Curie in the past.

And, unlike many people in Scotland, Julie is hoping for rain on the big day.

"I like running in the rain. It's not nice if it's really hot, so being relatively cool would be nice." THERE'S still just time to enter the Women's 10K, sponsored by Ignis Asset Management, the new name for Resolution Asset Management.

The company has sponsored the race for the past 12 years.

Postal entries are now closed, but you can still enter online, and the entry fee is £23. Just visit the race website at www.runglasgow.org for entry details and full terms and conditions. GINA McKIE, who presents the late night show on Radio Clyde, is running her first ever 10k. Each week she gives us her training diary, blisters and all. This week, the 34-year-old is feeling great and dreaming of baths, bubbly and George Clooney... THERE'S just over a week of training to go, and the nerves are beginning to kick in!

But I managed to complete my first 10k with my friend Bindi this week - she is going to be my running partner on the day. She is full of energy and a real tonic. My back was a little sore as we reached the end of our run last week but Bindi helped me to keep going, by focusing on a nice spa bath and a glass of bubbly!

I ran the distance in over an hour, and I'm happy with that. Bindi is keen to do it in less so I will try to match her pace but that is probably as likely as me meeting George Clooney at the finishing line.

I've been sticking to my healthy eating plan, which is great, helped along by the nurses at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. They invited me to their unique 'mocktail' bar - a great idea, serving non-alcoholic drinks all day long, guaranteeing your five a day.

I have found it a challenge to get motivated over the past week. My technique has been to aim for a reward at the end of each run. I think of a skinny latte and a chocolate cookie!

I'm really going to deserve it a week on Sunday ... See you next week, for my last training diary. WIN NIKE TRAINERS

WE have teamed up with specialist running store Run4It, which has branches in Bothwell Street and inside Tiso at Townhead, to give away six £85 vouchers, each of which can be exchanged for a pair of Nike trainers at Run4It.

All you have to do is answer this easy question: Which popular sports brand can you win the vouchers for?

To enter, simply call 09011 510 280 and leave the answer to the question, along with your name, daytime telephone number and full address.

Or send a text to 80360 - start with RUN, leave a space then enter your name and contact details. Lines open today at 9am and close tomorrow at midnight. Calls cost 50p from a BT land line. Other networks may vary. Texts cost 50p plus the standard charge. Usual Evening Times rules apply.

The editor's decision is final. WEEK 1 - MONDAY MAY 4 - SUNDAY MAY 10

MONDAY: Jog for 10 mins TUESDAY: Jog for 20 mins WEDNESDAY: Jog for 25 mins THURSDAY: Rest FRIDAY: Jog for 10 mins SATURDAY: Rest SUNDAY: RACE DAY