Runners take to capital's streets

More than 13,000 runners took part in this year's marathon

Thousands of runners have been pounding the streets of the Scottish capital in the Edinburgh Marathon.

More than 13,000 competitors were taking part in the event, which is second only to London in UK marathons.

This year it has doubled its number of runners, from 50 countries, and the prize money has been tripled.

Organisers expect the race, which is now in its sixth year, to raise millions of pounds for charity and an estimated £3m for the local economy.

More than 40% of competitors were predicting to run the 26.2 miles in under three hours.

The prize money for first male and female was £1,000, with £500 going to the first Scottish man and woman to cross the finish line.

'Very happy'

Competitors have raised more than £9m for 200 charities since the Edinburgh Marathon began in 2003.

Marathon spokesman Damien O'Looney said: "More than 13,000 have entered the marathon, which is double from last year, and we are very, very happy with that."

The course takes competitors from the capital along the coast to Musselburgh.

Last summer, the event's future was thrown into doubt after Edinburgh councillors said they were unable to guarantee the event would be held in the future because of the financial burden.

Fees of £140,000 for traffic management had been waived for the 2007 race.

But in January race organisers announced they had attracted a title sponsor to help stage the £500,000 event.

Scottish root grower and packer company Albert Bartlett pledged a five-figure sum.