FANS of the Paisley 10k can take part in a series of virtual races this year as organisers get creative in response to the coronavirus crisis.

With the town's annual 10k and fun run cancelled due to Covid-19, people can instead sign up for the Renfrewshire Leisure Virtual 5k Summer Series for free.

And, after registering, they are asked to submit their best times for running a distance of 5k.

They can start submitting their times once every week for three weeks, starting on July 27, and runners can complete the distance either on an outdoor run or on a treadmill.

Week one runs from July 27 to August 2, with week two taking place from August 3 to August 9 and week three rounding things off from August 10 to August 16.

Registration will be open via www.renfrewshireleisure.com/5ksummerseries throughout each week and, once signed up, runners will be sent an email with a weblink to a Google Form where they can submit their times.

They can choose to register and submit their time for any or all of the three weeks, with results being collated and shown on a leaderboard to be posted on the Renfrewshire Leisure website and social media.

The Virtual 5k Summer Series is being organised in conjunction with Kilbarchan Amateur Athletic Club and the event’s charity partner is Erskine, which is Scotland’s foremost provider of care for military veterans and their spouses.

Although entry to the event is free, runners are being encouraged to make a donation to Erskine at www.erskine.org.uk/support-our-work/donate.

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, said: “It’s a shame the Paisley 10k and fun run has had to be cancelled this year but we’re making sure all the training that runners have been doing will be put to good use.

“Our team has been very creative in coming up with the idea for a Virtual 5k Summer Series and I hope lots of runners sign up and log their best times for running the 5k race distance.

“I’m sure those taking part will join in the fun and competitive spirit of the event and, if they aren’t top of the leaderboard after the first week, they have another two opportunities to post even faster times.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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