Glasgow half marathon

In 2025 the race started at the top of St Vincent Street rather than the traditional George Square due to works in the square. The route map shown reflects the start in George Square and is based on 2024/2023. For interest - although the route started further up St Vincent Street the distance was made up by increasing the short out and back beside Bellahouston park.

We parked in the concert hall car park and made our way down across George Square and towards the bag drop. In Glasgow they use buses and we hate buses for bag drops as picking your bag up is the worst experience. If a double decker is used then avoid the upstairs. In 2019, the pick up for the bags on the buses was the worst we have experienced. In 2023 all the buses were single deckers with queues for pick at the end, as a result of limited numbers on a bus at any one time. Much improved.

For 2023 we signed up at the last minute. This means collecting the number in George square but this entails standing in line for about 20 minutes. You need the QR code for the pick up as well, we used our phone. Then it was off to the bus for the bag drop which we did about 45 minutes before the start and still had time to visit the toilet. If you are using the portaloos then probably best to leave a bit of extra time...sorry ladies you always have it hard at the start line.

The start is divided into coloured waves a few minutes apart. The start line looks up the hill that is St Vincent Street and all you can see is hundreds of runners already on thier way. In less than you are over the top and headind down into Finniston. A couple of left turns then take you up onto the Kingston Bridge and over the Clyde for the first time of the race.

Once off the bridge and motorway you are into the rather dull Tradeston area. However, the outlook starts to improve a bit on reaching the posher Pollockshields area. And form here you get into Pollock park just after the 5KM mark. Pollock park is a nice part but watch out for the speed bumps as it seems every year we see someone trip on one of them. The park also gets you past the half way point and you exit at about .

And from Pollock park you have just under to get to Bellahouston park. Earlier runnings of the race took you into the park but not in 2023, where a short out and back on the road beside the park is as close as you get.

You soon hit the sides of Cessnock Park and turn into Pacific Drive and towards the Squinty Bridge, there is always photographer on the right hand side of the bridge once over it. This has the crowds building up. Once across the bridge you are onto the Broomilaw then Clyde Street in what feels like a never ending street. It's actully only but feels like much more even with the large crowds. 2023 also saw the addition of a couple of bridges, cross over the King George 5th bridge then straight back over Glasgow bridge.

As you are now back on Clyde street and near the finish. At the end of Clyde Street a left then a right takes you into Glasgow Green and under the McLennan Arch and towards the finish line with the large crowds.

If you like half marathons, then this one should be on your list.

Entry is through the race web site.

Centre of Glasgow so multiple choices of how to get there.

The race starts right in the heart of Glasgow in George Square. Great atmosphere at the start line.

The race ends in Glasgow Green and would involve a walk of about one mile back to George Square.

You finish in Glasgow Green and are greeted with large cheering crowds. This is a really nice finish as there's lots of local runners being cheered on by thier families.

If you have used the bag drop then this can be a bit of a hassle and we hope you didn't put your bag upstairs as that is a nightmare. There is also a large family reunion area and lots of things going on aroung the green.

Many hotels for all budgets available in the city centre to stay in.