The race is the largest all-women race of its kind in Britain.

The new Faces of the Race joined a familiar fifth face, Suzie McGuire of Clyde 1, to get the event up and running in Bellahouston Park. The race culminates in Bellahouston Park on Sunday 9 May 2010.

Dressed ready to undertake their first training session, the ladies were presented with a little added motivation in the form of giant cut out images of themselves. The images will adorn Glasgow Club facilities across the city. A Glasgow Sightseeing bus with also have their picture emblazoned across the back.

Race organisers Culture and Sport Glasgow hope that by sharing the women’s reasons for signing up, more than 13,000 others will be encouraged to join them.

The women were chosen from hundreds of entrants, and they represent many of the reasons given for Why 10K?

Running for the first time is busy carer, nursery nurse and mum of five Angela, who is looking for ‘a challenge’. Encouraging her every step of the way will be veteran runner Pippa who is taking part for the fifteenth time and is hoping to set a personal best.

Runners competing in the race raised around £1.5 million for charity in 2009. Someone who is hoping the race can improve on that record is Natalie.

Natalie is raising money for Marie Curie’s Big Build Appeal in memory of her late mum, not to mention getting in shape for her wedding day.

The fourth face is young mum Kirsty who simply loves the thrill and escape running offers. Kirsty said, ‘The Women’s 10K provides a great opportunity to get together with friends and family and achieve what lots of people think is unachievable in the beginning.’

Once again, competitors will be able to take advantage of online ‘early bird’ offers through the official race website, Run Glasgow. The website gives a discount of up to £7 to runners entering online before 19 March or up to £15 for entering both the Women’s 10K and the September 2010 Great Scottish Run.

Online registration is now available at £20 and the Run Glasgow website. The website also provides information on charities, a downloadable 10-week training plan, training pod casts and information on Glasgow’s Running Network.

This year, 102.5 Clyde 1 Drivetime host Suzie McGuire has accepted the baton from fellow presenter Gina McKie. Suzie has set her sights on completing the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10K. 

Speaking at the launch Suzie said, ‘I am really looking forward to being part of the 2010 Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10K in May. It’s a terrific day and the support throughout the route from supporters and other runners is tremendous. I haven’t been running much recently due to a  knee injury, but my training will be gentle to start with and help to build my stamina to get me through the 10K.’

Bailie Liz Cameron, the Chair of Culture and Sport Glasgow said, ‘The start of a New Year always brings fresh hope, and many people are keen to set themselves a goal. If that is achieving something you didn’t think possible, trying to live a little healthier, giving something back to those who love and support you, or even to simply have fun, the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10K is just the ticket.

‘The race is a challenge for everyone involved, whether they are elite athletes racing for the prizes, experienced runners hoping to set a personal best or a novice hoping to complete the course. In the process hundreds of thousands of pounds is raised for charity. It all adds up to a unique event that the city is rightly proud of.’

Chris Samuel, Chief Executive, Ignis Asset Management said, ‘We are now in our 14th year as title sponsor of the 10K and the number of runners and popularity of the event continues to grow. It's really exciting to be involved in a race that attracts elite athletes from across the world as well as club and fun runners from all over Scotland. The Ignis Asset Management Women's 10K has become one of the highlights of the Scottish sporting calendar and we look forward to the 2010 race being more successful than ever.’

Notes to Editors

• Images of the launch are available from Ian Watson on 07850 660 321
• For inquiries about the race please contact John Egan/Suzanne Rough. Contact details are on our Press Office page.
• For further information about the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k or to enter please go to the Run Glasgow website. Race entry starts at £20.
• The ‘Faces’ full stories and reasons for running is available to read on the Run Glasgow website, where the girls will be blogging regularly about their progress in the lead up the race.
• Other entrants can send their stories via the website and may be profiled on the site too.