Runners ready to talk up 10k

Thousands of people will take to the streets of Scotland's capital in the Great Edinburgh Run on Sunday 4 May.

Elite competitors will lead the field round a 10k route which starts and finishes on The Meadows and a small group of participants are baring their running souls in a unique project for BBC Scotland.

They'll be wearing microphones and recording devices to capture their words, their feelings, their exertions, exhilarations and (if there are any) disappointments, before, during and after they complete the testing course.

BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett will also be running the course, carrying a microphone and recording along the way.

Afterwards, we'll be putting our runners' commentaries online and on BBC Radio Scotland. Read on to find out more about them.

GILLIAN ANDERSON, ABERDEEN

WHY I RUN

After giving up my horse after 16 years in 2003, I needed a new hobby and the challenge of trying something I always regarded myself as useless at appealed to me.

At the same time, I wanted to lose weight, and having been through a very difficult personal time, I wanted to do something that would lift my spirits.

Running ticks every box for me; I lost the weight I wanted to and kept it off, felt much better about myself and was delighted to find out I actually loved something I always dreaded at school sports days!

Nothing beats a sunny day running along the beach in Aberdeen with the sound of the waves and your own footsteps drumming in your ears.

RUNNING HISTORY

My best time ever was the Forfar 10k in August 2004 (59 minutes), but typically I just want to finish safely, in about 66 minutes.

I only ran a few 5ks last year, due to a recurring knee problem and didn't want to risk 10ks, and further stress to my knee. After physio, I now feel ready for the 10k challenge again.

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

As a native Edinburgher, I am really excited about running around very familiar streets. The atmosphere at the 10k Edinburgh September 2004 was fantastic and I hope to experience the same elation again.

Having now had a year off 10k races, this will be the first one I do again, so my aim is to complete it safely, in the best time possible, but mostly to enjoy the challenge and rebuild my confidence.

I want to prove to myself I can still run a 10k race!

TRACEY DAVIES, GLASGOW

WHY I RUN

I run so I can eat loads, drink beer and not put on weight.

RUNNING HISTORY

Greenock 5k Santa Dash 2007 - beaten by an inflatable Father Xmas. Jack Crawford Memorial (Springburn) 10k, 2008 - 1hr, 03mins. Buchlyvie 10K, 2008 - 1hr, 06mins, 54 secs.

British Heart Foundation run, Strathclyde Country Park 12K, 2008 - 1hr 20mins. Silverstone Half Marathon - 2hrs, 17mins, 51 secs.

I beat Sonic the Hedgehog, a Camel and a squaddie carrying a fridge.

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

After completing the London Marathon, I want to keep up my training in preparation for the Marathon du Medoc in September.

I want to focus on improving my speed and try to beat my abysmal PB of 1hr and 3 mins for a 10k - without injury.

I would like to strive not be overtaken by any punters in inflatable suits and to feel as fresh as a daisy afterwards.

I would have been doing this run for charity, however I'm squeezing every last penny out of my friends and colleagues for the marathon, that I can't really tap them for any more.

CAROLINE FINDLAY, GLASGOW

WHY I RUN

After years of saying "I'm not a runner" or "I can't run" despite having not even tried it, a couple of years ago a friend finally convinced me to run a charity 5k and I thought I'd do it to see what all the fuss was about.

RUNNING HISTORY

The first few times I ran I thought my lungs were going to collapse after five minutes and wondered how on earth I was going to run for 5k! However, with a bit of perseverance/stubbornness I began to see improvements and made it round my 5k in one piece.

Since then, I've completed more than 10 10k's and I do really enjoy it. I'm not very fast, but after you've broken the pain barrier you do get a buzz from it - despite the rotten Glasgow weather!

It's the best feeling in the world crossing that finishing line!

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

I'm looking forward to this run because it has a great backdrop and the atmosphere will be fabulous as thousands of people will be running it.

The Star Wars theme should be a really good laugh, especially when I'm running alongside a Yoda or a Chewbacca!

I am also running to raise funds for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, a charity which does amazing work through medical research, advice and information, and support in the community for three of Scotland's major illnesses.

So I'm hoping for a great day out, a respectable time, with a few laughs along the way!

ANDREW JESKE, EDINBURGH

WHY I RUN

It's easy to do. I don't have to book a court in advance, or get up early for a tee-off time. In fact, I don't have to organise anything. I just put my trainers on and I'm off.

It's great to get outside, whatever the weather and I try and combine my interest in wildlife in as many runs as possible. Of course running is a great opportunity to leave the mobile behind and have time for yourself, whether that be for a solo run or a social run.

RUNNING HISTORY

I started running in Autumn 2002, when a friend, Sonia, asked if anyone wanted to join her on a run. A few of us did and continued to do so throughout the winter. The following year I joined Portobello Running Club in Edinburgh and I haven't looked back.

5K, 18:28, Self Transcendence Race, Silverknowes, Edinburgh; 10K, 37:23 Dunbar; 13.1 miles, 82:59, Jedburgh; 26.2 miles, 3hrs 04 mins, Dumfries; 35 miles, 4hrs 39, Two Bridges Race; 50 miles, 9hrs 18 mins, Rowbotham's Round Rotherham Trail Race, England.

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

In 2005, another friend, Moira, asked me to help her set up a jogging group. Local jogscotland groups are run by volunteers and promote jogging as a way to a healthier lifestyle.

Our small group has now grown into the University of Edinburgh jogscotland group and won jogscotland group of the Year in 2007. Amazing!

I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of jogscotland and have got so much out of it, not just in a running sense.

I'm running this 10K, partly because I haven't done it before. It's also a good short race to do before I take on the Edinburgh Marathon on the 25th.

If I can get the words out, I also hope I can promote jogging, jogscotland and Edinburgh as I run round the historic and beautiful 10K route.

STEVEN HIBBERT, EDINBURGH

WHY I RUN

I run primarily to keep fit but I also enjoy challenging the limits of my physical and mental ability.

RUNNING HISTORY

A small selection of my running achievements: Edinburgh Marathon (x3) - PB 4:06:30 (2005); Glasgow Half (x7) - PB 1:49:43 (2004); Great North Run (x3) - PB 1:59:36 (2004); Linlithgow 10k (x2) - PB 45:02 (2005).

Great Edinburgh Run 10k - PB 53:42 (2007); Forth Bridge 10k - PB 46:33 (2005); Great Winter Run 5k (x4) - PB 23:06 (2008).

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

Whilst the route is probably too hilly to be breaking my 10k personal best time, achieving a PB for the race should almost be a given due to the fact that the only other time I entered, I ran it very steadily as part of an 18-mile marathon training session.

My main objective is therefore to feel happy within myself that I did the best I could in both preparing for and running the race.

I've had a relatively sustained period of bad race times recently and I'm using Edinburgh as the catalyst for reversing that trend.

KATY MACKENZIE, SOUTH QUEENSFERRY

WHY I RUN

I'm 23 and started running in primary school. I've continued on a regular basis since then, but it's only in the past year that I've taken a real interest in training and have actually thought about entering races.

I run because I'm completely addicted to the floaty feeling I get immediately after. I obviously love the buzz of pounding along, especially in those final few miles, but the sense of inner calm afterwards is what I really strive for.

Whilst you're running, no matter where it is, the adrenaline that surges through your body seems to shed a positive light over your surroundings. The dreich days are refreshing, more so because you feel proud for actually enjoying training in the rain, whilst dry sessions seem an absolute luxury.

I just love a run to keep my life balanced and everything always seems better after a satisfying escapade.

RUNNING HISTORY

The Great Edinburgh Run is my first proper race, apart from the sport relief 6 miles so I don't have any PBs to date.

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

By taking part in this run I hope to get a decent time and am looking forward to the general buzz of race day.

I definitely think this will encourage me to take part in longer races, hopefully a half marathon next time!

I'm excited about the experiment as it's pretty random, and I have no idea what to talk about whilst running as I'm more of a thinker so that in itself will be interesting.

CALLUM WILSON, PRESTONPANS

WHY I RUN

I like to run mainly because it keeps you fit and healthy.

It is also a really good way to meet people and get to make new friends. I never thought I would take up running because it looked too tiring and exhausting but once I got into it I really enjoyed it more and more as the weeks flew by.

When I do eventually get fitter, I hope to do the Edinburgh Marathon as it is what I have been aiming for since I started to run.

RUNNING HISTORY

Since I started taking up running I have done lots of runs, not only for charity but for myself.

The Great Edinburgh Run 2007 (my first run); 5 km Inverleith Park Edinburgh; 10 km fun run In Musselburgh (not so fun); Prestonpans Half Marathon, completed this in 2 hours and 20 min, my first half marathon. I did this for charity as it was nearly a year to the day when my grandpa had passed away. I raised over £700 for Cancer Research UK. Hoping to do it again this year.

The last run I did was fairly recent, the Edinburgh Half Marathon from Cramond to Musselburgh Racecourse. This was a really hard run for me as my brother had been with me in my last half marathon and kept my head up and I just needed to do this one on my own.

It was very hard because of the wind in your face for most of the 13.1 miles. I completed this run in 2 hours and 22 mins.

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

I want to beat my last year's time which was 1 hour and 19 secs.

I am hoping this recording from the BBC will give people an insight of what it is actually like to be on the course. I also want to feel the atmosphere from the great Edinburgh crowd and I want the listeners of the BBC to hear that also!

CATRIONA YATES, STIRLING

WHY I RUN

When I look back on my running life, which started when I was 16, and why I run, immediately I think about the people I have run with and the races I have endured but most of all the exhilaration, pleasure and 'thinking time' I get from running wherever I find myself living or spending time.

Nothing stops me running and I can't go for more than a day or two without putting my running shoes on and hitting the fresh air. Why do I run? Because I can't imagine not running.

RUNNING HISTORY

A student in St Andrews, I ran on the beach and through farmland, a graduate in London I ran in parks and did my first 5km, married and living in Washington DC I discovered the world of 10kms, most memorably a Jingle Bell run followed by breakfast and on returning to live in Scotland, my first half marathon in Edinburgh.

Running takes me on adventures - lonely single track roads in the Western Isles, pounding the unrelenting hills of San Francisco, the cool air of the Swiss alps at 700m, snow and ice in Princeton, NJ, tropical storms and cherry blossom in Washington DC, sunshine and sea views on the west coast of Scotland.

PB: 00:56:24 Balfron 10km April 2007; Half Marathon: 02:02:56 Edinburgh Forthside March 2007.

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

For me, the Great Edinburgh Run is going to be a mental challenge, competing mostly against myself.

The last 10km race I did wasn't my best. Heavy rain and very familiar territory. Having never run in this part of Edinburgh before, I hope to be inspired by the landscape, the buzz of a popular race and the thrill of a completely unknown course.

My goal is a PB of 54 minutes or less. I am raising money for Asthma UK as I am asthmatic and want to show people that asthma isn't a barrier to running and regular exercise.

MARIANNE YOUNG, BLAIRGOWRIE

WHY I RUN

I run because it de-stresses me, because it keeps me fit and slim and because of the fabulous people that I meet at races all over the country.

RUNNING HISTORY

I have run off and on for the last 10 years after a gap of 13 years after leaving school.

I joined a website called www.fetcheveryone.com in March 2005 and the support I have had through that site has been amazing.

My running is definitely more on than off now and I completed 31 races last year.

My PBs are: 5k - 22.44 (April 2007); 10k - 45.55 (October 2007); 5 miles - 37.41 (March 2008); 10 miles - 1.18.21 (December 2006); Half marathon - 1.46.37 (Jan 2007); Marathon - 4.15.27 (Oct 2006).

WHAT I HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE GREAT EDINBURGH RUN

I would really love a PB and training has gone well.

But ... I am doing another race just 36 hours before and legs may be a little tired. Everyone is really excited that I am doing this with the 'running commentary' and are turning out to cheer me on.

I hope to put across what running and racing and the absolutely fantastic atmosphere is all about. Hopefully, anyone listening will realise what a really great achievement it is whether you finish first or last and that will encourage them to pull their trainers on.