THOUSANDS of children laced up their trainers for a 2km race as Scotland's biggest mass participation running event got underway.

The Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run was launched yesterday with the School's Challenge.

Sunday will see the 10K run and half marathon take centre stage, with world famous elite athletes heading a field of club runners, fun runners and walkers.

Motorists and commuters are being reminded that there will be significant road closures in operation while the running events are taking place.

Rail commuters have also been advised to plan journeys carefully as some rail services will be affected by engineering works.

Replacement buses will be in place for all services on the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High line up to 11am on Sunday..

Children, families and furry friends will be taking over George Square today as Super Saturday events get underway.

The 2.5k Junior Run welcomes young club runners from around Scotland, with athletics stars of the future battling it out on the city centre course.

This is followed by the Family Mile for children aged 3-8 and parents or family members, the 100m Mascot Race and the Toddler Dash.

On Sunday, the 10k will be set off by Olympic gold medal-winning cyclists Callum Skinner and Katie Archibald, alongside Nick Laird, regional managing director of Bank of Scotland, and Aileen Campbell, MSP Minister for Public Health and Sport.

The half marathon will be started by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Charlie Flynn, where Hawkins and Tsegai Tewelde will go head to head in a bid to become the first Scottish man to win the race.

No Scottish male has crossed the line first since the half marathon was first staged in 1991.

In the women’s race, Kenyans Doris Changeiywo and Betsy Saina will battle for supremacy.

Starting at George Square, runners will follow the iconic 10k and half marathon routes through the city before they enter Glasgow Green,with the action captured live on BBC Scotland.

This year, runners can expect a great Glasgow cheer from performers from Glasgow’s Mela performers.

Entry to the 10k is available until 4pm on Saturday. Runners can enter online and collect their pack from St Enoch’s or on event morning from the Info Point in George Square or they can visit St Enoch’s and enter in person.