THE UK's only all female 10k race has been axed after running for more than 25 years in Glasgow.

The organisers of the Great Women's Run said the decision was taken due to dwindling numbers taking part in recent years. They said more female runners were now taking part in the mixed, Great Scottish Run 10k, which it also organises.

Glasgow Life, which has some involvement in the event, said the event's goal of encouraging more women to participate in sport "had been achieved."

The event is a popular first time race for women due to the fun and relaxed atmosphere and public support it attracts.

Former Labour leader Johann Lamont tweeted: "Sad news. I first ran it in 1994. My first organised run. Gave me a love of running that lasted for years."

Read more: The tears and triumphs: 25 years of the Glasgow women's 10k

The 6.2mile race moved to the city's West End a few years ago after being held in the south of the city for years and raises thousands for charitable causes every year.

It was originally organised by Glasgow City Council, which set up a women's jogging network to encourage female runners to take part with beginner running courses organised to prepare entrants. A mixed running network was axed by Glasgow Life a few years ago. A  men's 10k event is organised annually in Glasgow.

Janette Harkess, a member of the community running group Glasgow Phoenix Runners said: “This is really sad news.

“The Glasgow Women’s 10k has been a very special race which has given thousands of ordinary women - myself included - a reason to start running and the confidence to take part in a public sporting event.

“There’s always been something incredibly special about the supportive and joyous atmosphere.” 

A spokeswoman for the Great Run Company said: "Together with partners, we have taken the decision not to stage the Great Women’s 10K moving forward.

"First introduced 25 years ago to encourage more women in Scotland to participate in running events, the Great Women’s 10k was the first of its kind.

"It has been so successful in achieving that goal that we now see more women taking part in similar events than ever before."

The event was originally organised by Glasgow City Council, before it was taken over by the firm that organises a series of 10k and half marathon events across the UK including the Great Scottish Run in October.

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: "The Great Women's 10k was introduced in 1993 in order to encourage more women to participate in sport and this has been achieved.

"Female participation in the Great Scottish Run has been higher than the Great Women's Run for the past two years.

"Therefore we will instead concentrate our resources into the further development of the Great Scottish Run, rather than continue to deliver an annual 10k event which is decreasing in popularity and facing more and more marketplace competition."