It has become an annual tradition that I join 2 of my older brothers to run the Glasgow Men's Health Forum 10km.  Neither of them would consider themselves runners and it has become a welcome excuse for the respective families to come together.  It is also a measure that, as middle age approaches,  we all still have the health and good fortune to be able to run the distance!

The race takes place in and around Bellahouston and  Pollock Parks in Glasgow and follows a fairly undulating yet fast course.  Around 4000 men lined up for the race.  The vast majority are not regular runners and for many this is there one and only race.  Although this was my first 10km in over a year I had been running well and was hoping for a fast time.  I had recently set PB's at a range of distances from 5km to the marathon. 

The secret appeared to be regular interval running and being lucky enough to stay injury free.  It has taken a while to accept that mileage alone won't make me go faster!  In addition my secret weapon was my new luminous green adidas lightweight trainers.  If they are good enough for Haile Gebrselassie, then surely they were good enough for me. 

As for the race itself I positioned myself near the front and kept to regular 3.45 min kilometer splits.   Ran well and the large crowds along the route were a great inspiration; especially the closing km.  I saved a sprint for the end (for the cameras) and finished 39th with a time of 37.27, a minute of my PB.  My older brothers ran together and came in a very respectable 48mins. 

Overall the race has a really good vibe and you really get a real sense of the individual challenges folk overcome to run the race. Most importantly the event does well to raise the profile of male mental health, not something that guys tend to talk about.