SPECTATORS came out in their droves to watch some of the world's best athletes compete in the Great Scottish Run.

World champions, Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists, actors and prominent figures stepped together in what was hailed the most impressive line-up the event has seen.

The 10K began at 9.30am from George Square while the half marathon kicked off at 11am from the same city centre location.

Both routes finished in Glasgow Green after taking runners on a tour of Glasgow's historic sights.

While the half-marathon had the same start and finish points, the route also took runners out to Bellahouston and Pollock Park.

Coming in first place for the Men's Half Marathon was Stephen Mokoka, South African Olympic athlete, in 61.25 minutes.

Edna Kiplagat, Kenyan two-time World Marathon Champion, achieved first place for the Women's Half Marathon.

Haile Gebrselassie, Ethiopian long-distance runner and Olympic gold medalist who won the run in 2013, was forced to pull out after 19 minutes due to breathing problems. He said: "I've been having this problem for a long time."

Many Ethiopians had come out to support the runner by waving flags and cheering around the course. Mr Gerbselassie added: "It's amazing to see, I love to win but it didn't work out.

"What can you do?"

After the race, Glasgow Green, which was transformed into the 'event village', was full of runners and family members celebrating.

Hundreds of spectators cheered on the athletes during the awards presentation ceremony.

In among the hundreds of runners participating in the event were a team of 50 from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS).

Warren Brady, Manager of Sports Services at UWS, said: "We're raising money for cancer research, I'm not sure what the total is but we have more than 50 applicants running today."

Meanwhile Scott Nelson, 37, from Irvine, was running in memory of his daughter Emily with a team of more than 80 runners in aid of Emily's Elephants.

He said: "We are running for Yorkhill Hospital in memory of my daughter who passed away last year, age two of liver cancer.

"This morning we had raised more than £28,000."

Chris Chittell, an actor in ITV soap Emmerdale, has participated in the Great Scottish Run multiple times. He said: "This is the first time I've been in Glasgow and it's dry.

"There's been a great atmosphere, the crowd has been lovely.

"I run to raise awareness for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research, I do four or five races a year for them."

Calum MacAninch, an actor based in Glasgow, said: "I'm running for Leukemia Research. Ken Lomas who organises it is a great inspiration in my life - whenever he asks me to run I will.

"I'm also a Glaswegian so to get to run here is great. I've done two marathons, countless half marathons, even more 10ks and the Ben Nevis race."

Sophie Whitehead, 33, came down from Shetland to run the half marathon. She said: "I'm running three races for British Heart Foundation, in memory of my Grandpa.

"I did the Great North Run, today's race , and I'm doing the New York marathon.

"Today was really training for New York. I've raised about £350 so far but hopefully will get a lot more in the lead-up to New York."

Karen Doyle, 33, said: "I'm running for Asthma UK with nine family members and friends in memory of my brother Mark who died seven years ago of an asthma attack.

"We did a private 5k two years ago but wanted to do more, we've raised more than £200 so far but money is still pouring in."

n Don't miss our Great Scottish Run picture pullout: Page 25