Training for a run in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, couldn’t be more picturesque! Whether you’re looking for the greatest local running route around the city to help you beat your PB, or an easier, more scenic running trail to support you in your first 10K, there’s so much to choose from.
In the lead-up to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, we’ve enlisted the help of local running group, HWJ Run Club, to discover the best places for you to train around the city of Glasgow:
Kelvingrove Park
Gorgeous scenery, a peaceful atmosphere and so much space to run; Kelvingrove Park is perfect if you want somewhere picturesque to train. The park in the city’s West End is one of the most popular running routes in the city too!
Start your run outside the iconic museum and art gallery of the same name. The museum was actually built so that the front faces Glasgow University on the opposite side of Argyle Street. There you’ll find the Kelvin Walkway, which follows the River Kelvin from the Clyde to North Glasgow and Milngavie. The route will also take you past Cameronians War Memorial, as well as the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and straight through the centre of the park
Cross Kelvin Way and into the park where a hilly loop up to the monument at Park Circus offers a tough workout rewarded with great views across the city.
City Centre and Glasgow Cathedral
Start in George Square, at the same spot as the start line of the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, before heading east along Ingram Street, through the Merchant City onto High Street. From there head up to the Cathedral district and onto a circuit of the city’s Necropolis before heading back down to Glasgow Green.
The Clyde and Kelvin Walkway
The Clyde Walkway is around 40 miles long stretching all the way from Partick in Glasgow’s West End to New Lanark in South Lanarkshire. Don’t worry though, we’re not suggesting you go for it all!
The city element of the route takes in the Riverside Museum and Tall Ship as well as the SSE Hydro, financial district, Glasgow Green and the iconic Glasgow bridges trail.
The Kelvin Walkway officially links to the longer Clyde Walkway. Still, most pick it up ‘behind’ Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum where is cuts through the park between the museum and Glasgow University.
The rest is a tree-lined oasis of trails and paths through the city to North Glasgow and onto Milngavie.
Clyde and Forth Canal
Cutting its way through Scotland’s industrial heartland, the Forth and Clyde Canal runs from Bowling in West Dunbartonshire through to Edinburgh. The towpath is ideal for running and offers a scenic, flat tranquil route through the city. You could pick it up in Clydebank and follow the path all the way to Speirs Wharf in the city centre.
Pollok Park
Glasgow’s largest park and the only Country Park within the city forms part of the half marathon route for the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run.
Its trails and paths wind through woodlands and past wildlife including the park’s much-loved Highland Cows, as well as the stunning Pollok House and Burrell collection.
If you’re feeling ambitious you could always head over to nearby Queen’s Park and take a run-up to the flag-pole where you will be awarded with stunning views across to the Campsie Fells and Ben Lomond.
Alternative City Parks: Victoria Park, West Highland Way/Mugdock Park
For an easier route, Victoria Park is great for beginners as it is mostly flat and you can run the park’s perimeter on tarmac. If you’re starting your running journey, it’s a great way to build up your stamina, as you can run many laps around the park. Also, you can measure fairly quickly the distance you’ve run, which is perfect in the lead-up to your first event, whether that’s a 5K, 10K or even a half marathon!
For runners who like trails the West Highland Way is a great escape to get out of the city. Start where the trail begins near to Milngavie train station before following the paths out to Mugdock Country Park. This route will test even the most avid runners but it’s worth it for the views and coffee and cake at Stables Café in the park.
Glasgow Green
And finally, alongside the River Clyde is the beautiful Glasgow Green, the location of our iconic finish line at the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run!
There is very little risk of getting lost here: you just need to follow the river on your right, then loop back around the park for a circuit of just over two miles. On the final stretch, The People’s Palace and Winter Garden is worth making a detour for; the building alone is a sight to see and shows off Glasgow’s stunning architecture.
Find Your Greatest Running Community
You can discover more top running routes and advice for running around the city of Glasgow over on Instagram, where we will be finding out the latest AJ Bell Great Scottish Run advice from HWJ Run Club. You can also join your local Great Scottish Run Strava group and discover more amazing routes from our Great Runners!
Ready to #FeelTheFeeling at this year’s AJ Bell Great Scottish Run? Make sure to sign up now and get your place on the start line!
