HUNDREDS of Glasgow schoolchildren have pulled on their running shoes to kick off a weekend of sport across the city.

Schoolkids descended on Glasgow Green yesterday to meet some of the elite athletes who have previously made the Great Scottish Run top spots, such as 2017 champion Chris Thompson and two-time European Athletics Championship medalist Andy Vernon.

The youngsters then took to the track to try out the sport in a mini-race.

A staggering 30,000 people are set to descend on the park over the weekend to participate in the popular races.

Dubbed “super Saturday”, the weekend gets off to a flying start today with the kids and family events in and around George Square.

The Bank of Scotland Junior Great Scottish Run is first up, with the young athletes of the future taking on a 2.5k course, followed by the Family Mile – a great event that introduces many children to running for the first time.

Little ones aged up to five will wrap up the day with a Toddler Dash, shortly after charities, sports clubs and others have competed against each other for glory in the Mascot Race.

Laura Muir, Bank of Scotland ambassador and Gold medallist at the 2018 European Championships, will kick off proceedings before leading the Junior Run medal presentation.

And tomorrow, double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes will do the starting honours for the 10k and the half marathon.

Both races start in George Square and take runners on a tour of the city before they pass through McLennan Arch and head down the home straight to Glasgow Green – motivated along the way by music, pipers, charity cheering points and enthusiastic throngs of spectators.

Philip Grant, chair of Scottish Executive Committee at Lloyds Banking Group, who are race partners, said: “It’s been an extra special year leading up to the 2018 Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run as it marks our 10th year as proud partner.

“In the last decade we have seen this amazing event grow to become one of Scotland’s biggest and best.

“It truly is a unique celebration of running and community spirit for people of all abilities. I’d like to wish all the runners the very best of luck.”

Bank of Scotland will continue as partners for the 10th year and this will be its second year with Mental Health UK as its charity partner.

Last year alone more than £4million was raised by runners for numerous charities close to their hearts.

At the head of the half marathon field will be a host of world-class athletes including Chris Thompson, back to defend his 2017 title and to face Mike Shelley, who won the first of his two Commonwealth gold medals at Glasgow 2014.

In the half marathon race Rose Chelimo, 2017 World Athletics Championship marathon gold medalist, will line up alongside Olympic bronze medallist Mare Dibaba.

While they might not be professional, a crowd of 33 runners will take on the half marathon challenge in aid of Alzheimer’s Research after a close pal was diagnosed with the condition.

Ann-Marie Cowe was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheirmer’s six years ago, aged just 56, and now lives in a care home.

The former primary school teacher’s sister Patricia Gallagher, from Clarkston, and a group of friends and family aged 17 to 65 will take part in the race in aid of charity.

Patricia said: “Ann-Marie’s condition began with her forgetting words.

“Her behaviour changed and she just wasn’t herself – she was forgetful and had a few falls.

“Her friends and family became more aware of it before she agreed to go to doctors, who diagnosed her, aged 56.

“Unfortunately, she deteriorated very quickly and was in a care home by the age of 59.”

Ann-Marie – who has a son Michael, 37, a daughter Katie, 34, and two granddaughters, Rose, two and Isobel, one – now lives in a care home in the Pollokshields area.

Patricia added: “We are raising money for Alzheimer’s Research to help them in their journey to find out more about this terrible condition with friends and family coming from Cambridge, London, Briton, Sheffield and Leeds to take part in the run.”

The event will be broadcast live on BBC Two Scotland, 11am-1.45pm, with Deacon Blue drummer Dougie Vipond on the starting line to introduce the coverage.

For more information on the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run go to greatscottishrun.com or follow the event live on Twitter @GreatScotRun using #GreatScottishRun or facebook.com/GreatScottishRun