SCOTLAND'S sporting elite were on show alongside charity heroines as they all took to Glasgow's streets for the Great Women's 10K.

More than 8000 women took part in the event, which saw Team GB curler Eve Muirhead as honorary starter - before she joined in to complete the course which ended in Bellahouston Park.

Eve, from Perth, who won bronze with the curling team at the Sochi Olympics earlier this year, said: "I really enjoyed it. It's a bit of a change, but when they asked me to do it I thought why not, I'll just go out there and enjoy myself.

"There was a great atmosphere. The pipers were playing at the markers for every kilometre, so every time I heard one I cheered in my head."

Eve also finished the race quicker than her target time, crossing the finishing line in just over 47 minutes.

She said: "I had wanted to do it in about 50 minutes, so to do it even quicker feels great."

Susan Partridge crossed the line first, a sight many Scots will want to see at this year's Commonwealth Games. The runner, who has taken part in several world championships, was pleased to complete the race in 33:53.

She said: "It was a good run. I had a bit of cramp in my leg along the way but apart from that it went well.

"Along the way I was thinking 'I hope I win it from here'. I'd built up a good lead, and I just concentrated and didn't let anything distract me."

She also thanked the Glasgow crowd.

She said: "There is always a great atmosphere for this race, there have always been good crowds with people there to support their family and friends. And it didn't rain."

Susan was followed by Commonwealth Games teammates Hayley Haining and Elspeth Curran, who were second and third.

Hayley, at 42 the oldest member of the Scottish running team, crossed the line in 35:21.

Glasgow University student Elspeth, who won last year's race finished in a time of 35:39.

The event was filled with colourful character, as groups dressed as the Smurfs, birds and prison jumpsuits all took part.

KELLY Brown, from Motherwell, dressed as a giant Heart to promote the charity she was supporting, Cardiac Arrest in Young People.

She said: "I was looking forward to doing this - it seemed like a good cause. I'm a Motherwell fan, and running in memory of Phil O'Donnell.

"The costume has got a few people talking, but it might have been a better idea six months ago than it was on the day."

Ashleigh Keen decided to run yesterday's race less than two weeks ago, with the last-minute decision taken to help raise money in memory of her cousin Stephen Smith, who died of bowel cancer at 28.

She said: "It was a good atmosphere, people were coming out of their houses to give us sweets and water as we ran past.

"I read competitors' T-shirts with the names of the people they were running for and it helped inspire me to finish.

"I would do it again, and recommend it to anyone who is trying to raise money for a charity."

Pictures By: Martin Shields, Nick Ponty and Phil Rider