The Scottish marathon record-holder will make his half-marathon return on home turf in Glasgow
Callum Hawkins is set to make his first half-marathon appearance of the year this Sunday (October 6) at the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run in Glasgow.
Callum Hawkins
The 32-year-old hasn’t competed in any half-marathons this season, but Callum Hawkins did race in the London Marathon back in April, finishing in 16th place with a time of 2:17:34.
Callum Hawkins on his long-awaited return to marathon racing
In 2019, the Kilbarchan athlete set the Scottish marathon record at the London Marathon with a time of 2:08:14, securing a tenth-place finish. That same year, he was fourth at the 2019 World Championships over 26.2 miles.
Callum Hawkins (Mark Shearman)
However, his journey took a challenging turn when the pandemic hit in 2020, leading to a series of injuries that forced him to take a step back, including surgery on a bone fragment in his foot and treatment for a broken collarbone earlier this year.
This weekend, he will be eager to defend his Great Scottish Run title, having won it twice before in 2016 and 2022.
Hawkins will be joined by the likes of Andrew Heyes and John Bell, the latter being the reigning Scottish Half Marathon and Great North 10km champion.
Declaring after winning his third fantastic Scottish Run Half Marathon, “It’s always great running through Glasgow; there’s something special and emotional about it,” Callum Hawkins said. Every year, this event grows larger and better, which is why I adore running in it. Many thanks to everyone who has helped along the journey.
In the women’s race, rising star Natasha Phillips – the U20 European and British Half Marathon record-holder – will hope to make her mark on home turf. The 19-year-old also claimed the Scottish U20 cross-country title earlier this year in Falkirk.
Natasha Phillips (Bobby Gavin)
The Great Scottish Run will also feature a 10km race, where double Olympian Chris Thompson, who recently announced his retirement, will make his final professional appearance in Scotland.
Chris Thompson announces retirement from elite running
The 43-year-old, who represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games and earned a European 10,000m silver medal, previously won the Great Scottish Run half-marathon in both 2017 and 2018.
Thompson’s final meet before officially retiring will be at the Great South Run on October 20.
Chris said at the finish line: “It’s been a brilliant day, the Great Scottish run means a lot to me and the finish straight has a big place in my heart – I’ve been running down it since I was 18.
“I was very proud to ring the AJ Bell start bell for thousands of people in the Half Marathon today in perfect running conditions.”
The Great Scottish Run is set to be the largest ever, with over 30,000 participants taking to the streets of Glasgow.
The 10km race will begin at 8.30 am with the half marathon beginning at 10 am.
On Saturday and Sunday, more than 30,000 racers pounded the streets in Scotland’s biggest running event.
Future top runners powered their way through the streets on Saturday during the “Finding Your Superpower” themed junior and mini-events, which drew 1,250 children between the ages of 1 and 15.
The children received encouragement, high fives, and their finisher medals from Sabre and Apollo, stars of the BBC television series Gladiators, as they crossed the finish line.
Thousands of people participated in the 10K and Half Marathon on Sunday, including elite club runners vying for first place and personal best times, runners from around the nation, and fundraisers earning millions of dollars for charitable causes.
Two-time Olympian and 2010 European 10,000m silver medallist Chris Thompson placed an emotional fourth in the 10K race during his final competition held in Scotland.