SCOTLAND'S only dedicated Men's 10k race has been saved from the axe.

 

Event organisers, Men's Health Forum, announced earlier this year that they were being forced to pull the Glasgow event after failing to secure enough funding.

However the team behind the Edinburgh Marathon, GSi Events Ltd, has now announced it will take over the event, which is held annually on Father's Day.

The race, which raises thousands of pound each year for charity and had been under threat for some time due to increasing uncertainty over sponsorship.

GSi also runs a number of other successful running events including Jogscotland's One Big Weekend and Kilomathon Scotland.

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the race, which takes in Bellahouston and Pollok Parks.

Neil Kilgour, new race director said: "We're absolutely delighted to be taking over the Men's 10K for 2015 and beyond.

"It's an absolutely fantastic event which has touched the lives of thousands of men in Glasgow, as well as the rest of Scotland.

"2015 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Men's 10K and we can't wait to make it happen, 9 years of history was simply too much to cast aside.

"We'll work really hard to give the event the TLC and respect it deserves, whilst endeavouring to make it even more special."

The men's 10k was launched in 2006 and in 2012 raised around £42,000 for the Yorkhill Children's Foundation.

This year's event attracted 3000 runners and incorporated a 1K for children under 14 and a 'Rascal Run' for toddlers.

The race has struggled to attract more participants from across Scotland - about 65% are from Glasgow.

Sarah McMillan Event Manager for the Men's 10k said: "We're really relieved that the Men's 10k will continue as we know it makes such a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of men in Scotland and their families.

"We feel really reassured by GSI that they understand the ethos of the event and are committed to continuing to keep it as close to the event the guys know and love as possible.

"Obviously some things will change, and I'm pretty sure with the resources they have a lot of it will get even better, so we're really excited to see how the Men's 10k develops in 2015!"

Judy Murray, mother of tennis ace Andy, and rugby star Scott Hastings were among the high profile supporters of the event.