TAKE YOUR CHANCE TO WELCOME THE WORLD

19th March 2008

Entries have been extended to Monday 24th March for the 'Welcome the World' 5K road race that will be held immediately before the 36th IAAF World Cross Country Championships taking place in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh on Sunday 30th March.

The 'Welcome the World' road race  - also round two of the Stewarts Road Race Grand Prix - is set around a scenic route of just over three miles.

Starting at the edge of Holyrood Palace the route passes St Margaret's Loch in the shadow of Arthur's Seat before heading up towards Dunsapie Loch then round to the edge of Salisbury Crags with Edinburgh Castle visible in the distance before it heads downhill to the finishing area next to the Scottish Parliament Building and Palace of Holyroodhouse.

All finishers will receive a unique memento, an exclusive event t-shirt (pictured) and a fantastic Scottish themed 'Welcome the World' goody bag. Spot-on accurate chip timing will be used for the event, and pipers, cheerleaders and other entertainment will be provided on the way round the route. Participants will then have free access to the World Championships afterwards.

Alistair Currie, Manager of jogscotland said: "We hope that thousands of Scots will get behind the 'Welcome the World' 5k and take this fantastic opportunity to be part of the IAAF World Cross Country Championship weekend.

"From absolute beginners through to the seasoned jogger, this road race offers each individual the opportunity to be part of a historic world class event, and I'm sure it will serve as a boost for each participant's motivation to complete their own running aims and improve personal bests."

City of Edinburgh Council Festival and Events Champion Steve Cardownie said: "Edinburgh is gearing up for a fantastic World Cross Country weekend at the end of March.

"The city will be buzzing and thousands of people will be involved, from the world's top athletes to local joggers, volunteers and of course a great Edinburgh crowd to cheer everyone on.

"The elite race will be a spectacle of world class sport not to be missed and the 'Welcome the World' 5k race will give everyone the chance to be a part of the competition."

Enter online through the scottishathletics website.