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Run for the fun

Edinburgh goes in for events in a big way. Destination marketing brings in hoards of Americans. Aussies and international backpackers intent on experiencing the world-renowned Hogmanay celebrations. Every August our capital hosts the biggest and best cultural melange known to man. But when it comes to sporting events, Scotland’s event central has always lagged behind.

No more. On 15 June this year, the historic city will provide the backdrop to the Edinburgh Marathon. The last marathon in Scotland took place in 1999, when the Fife to Edinburgh race attracted runners from all over the world. Now Edinburgh has seized the marathon baton for itself.

Starting and finishing at Meadowbank Stadium, the route takes in Arthur’s Seat. the Grassmarket. Princes Street, and the bottom half of the Royal Mile before heading out to Portobello, Leith, Cramond, and along disused railway

lines back to Meadowbank.

Edinburgh is notorious for its inclines and hills, so preparation is paramount. Organisers recommend that training starts now. So if the thought of slogging out a gruelling 26.2 miles doesn’t make you want to run for the hills, then log on to the website and pledge your support to one of its official charities. Entrants can also take advantage of the online sponsorship opportunity by setting up a webpage at www.edinburgh-marathon-justgiving.co.uk.

Of course, marathon running isn’t for everyone, so non-runners can get out there on the big day and provide the vocal support. Just think about it.

(Maureen Ellis)

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Events are listed by date, city, then sport. Submit listings at least ten days before publication to sportGlist.co.uk, by post or by tax on 0131 557 8500. Listings are compiled by Maureen Ellis.

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Friday 28

Outsrde the Cities

Volleyball: Scotland v Ireland Wisha“ Sports Centre. .-\lexander Street. Wishau. 01698 355821. Spin. Scotland‘s national voile} ball squad take on their Celtic counterparts.

Glasgow

Football: Partlck Thistle v Dundee i-‘irhill. 8t) Firhill Road. 570 197']. 3pm. £15 (£81. Closely placed in the table. a home \s in could see the Jags overtake their Ta) side Visitors. Basketball: Scottish Rocks v Chester Braehead Arena. Kings Inch Road. 561 1 1-10. 7pm. £7 (£51; famil) ticket £20. BBL Championship basketball match with Scotland's only pro-basketball team. Expect crowd participation. music. competitions and a halt-time shoot out on court.

Edinburgh Football: Hearts v Motherwell

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'1‘}necastle Stadium. (iorgie Road. 200 7'20]. 3pm. £14~£161£101f1he ‘\\'e1l ol‘ten slip up axsa} from home. so Craig 1.e\ ein's men can expect to take all three points from this game.

Outside the cities Horse-racing: Kelso Races KCl\U Racecourse. Kelso. 0157'.“ 22-173". 2.20pm. £74215 (£4: under 16s t'reel. National hunt horse racing in the most picturesque of. settings.

Glasgow

Cycling: Glasgow - Falkirk Wheel Bells Bridge. Congress Road. 07932 460093. 1 lam. Go Bike Sunda} c)c1e ride to the impressive nets Falkirk Wheel. See photo caption.

Football: Celtic v Hibernian Celtic Park. Kerrydale Street. Parkhead. 551 8653. 3pm. £23 (£l4l.The previous two league meetings betxseen these clubs have resulted in close 1—0 wins for the Bhoys. With Larsson still out. Hibs could hope for a point from this game at best.

Edinburgh

Ice hockey: SNL Capitals Murrayfield Ice Rink. Riversdaie Crescent. 33‘ 6933. 6pm. £91£5r Scottish National League match \sith opposition to be confirmed.

Outside the cues

Motor Racing: Super'rnoto and Rail} Hatch Knockhill Racing Circuit. Kriockhrll.1)unlerrii1rne.01353 "253.“ Hr~octane motoring action as the 2003 \L‘asilll sleps 111‘ a gear

Football: Livingston v Rangers \Vest l.othi.in ('otir'rer' Stadium. .-\1derslone Road. 1.i\ingstori. 111506 41-000. 3pm. No public sale. It hasn't been an eas_\ season for 1.othi.in’s great \shrte hopes. so this \ isrt lr‘om .-\1e\ .\lc1.eish‘s men isn't likelx to rexerse those l'or'ttines.

Glasgow

Basketball: Scottish Rocks v Birmingham Braehead .-\rena. Kings Inch Road. 561 1140. “.30pin. L" i£5 1'. t'arnil) ticket {20. See Sat 1.

Outside the cities Horse-racing: Ayr Races .~\)r‘ Racecourse. 2 \Vhrtletts Road. .-\}i'. 01202 2641'“). 2.35pm. £5 £18. National Hunt racing.

Glasgow

Football: Celtic v Rangers (‘eliic l’ark. Ker‘r'}da|e Street. l’ar'khead. 551 8653. 3pm. Season ticket holders only The first ol‘ i\\o eager'l} anticipated meetings of the (ilasgou titans. l’re\ious meetings this season haxe been t}pica|1} high-scoring. \s rtli the (iers liat‘t‘ms 1} edging ahead on points. Realisticall} a

\\ in for Rangers could see the league tiag returning to lbrox.

Edinburgh

Football: Hibernian v Dundee United liaster' Road. 12 Albion Place. 661 18"5.3pm.£1"-£22i£101.'l‘he llibees should easil} sueep aside bottom-placed l'nited in this league tie. Rugby: Scotland v Wales .\lurra_\t'ie1d Stadium. Roersdale Crescent. 3-16 5000, 4pm. £20 £50 i£l()—-£25i. l‘ollouing their eriibarr'assing defeat at the hands of the Irish and l‘r‘ench. Scotland's rugb} heroes uill be hoping to restore their pride \\ hen the) take on a Welsh side beaten b} Ital).

Outsrde the Cities Horse-racing: Ayr Races .-\_x r Racecourse. 2 \Vhitletts Road. A} r. 01292 264179. 1.50pm. £8— 518. Sec l‘ri

Football: Livingston v Hearts West l.othian Courier Stadium. Alderstone Road. l.i\ ingston. 01506 417000. 3pm. itbc. Craig l.e\ein's men make the short journe} \\ est to take on ailing Liu}.

Football: Motherwell v Aberdeen Fir Park. Manse Road.

Sport

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:13 11‘1‘44 :15~ \ good match is a1\\a_\s guaranteed \xhen these t\so tearris meet l:\pect talking points aplcnt} Football: Dunfermline v Partick Thistle l'ast 1nd l’ark. Halbcath Road. [)unlerrrilrrre. 013V: {12 L l 5 lib {1|l1 lhe .lag‘s head to last 11nd park hoping to raise tireriisehes ltirther .ma} from the relegation mire

Edinburgh

Rugby: Scotland v Wales .\1eado\\bank Sl‘i‘rts Centre. 1 i" 1 ondorr Road. obl 5351 2pm {5 itirider los ti‘eci \\oiiicn's Six Nations Championship rtigb} match

Ice hockey: SNL Capitals .\l111'1'.1}lit‘ltl Ice Rink. Rr\cisdale ('r'escent. 55- W": bprii {‘1 i151 Sec Strn 2.

Outsrde the Cities

Wrestling: Big Time American Wrestling (and Hall. (in stitraie. Dundee. 01552 434010. ".illpm L' 10 iiSl; ialtlll} ticket L5“. lhe superstars ol .NlliL‘l'iCdll \Vrestling don their 1}ci.i garb to face the best British \si'cstling heaquerghh.

Tow»? 3pm

Go Bike Glasgow-based Cycling grOup Go Bike invite two-wheeled enthusiasts to get on their trusty metal steed and pin in their monthly meetings. Covering a different route every time. the 2003 season begins With a cycle to the new Falkirk Wheel. before Subsequent iaunts to New Lanark, LOCb Lomond. Arran. Largs and more. The emphaSis is on easy- going. picturesque rides. so you don't have to be a raCing speCialist to jorn in.

I A// rides leave from Be/ls Bridge, next to the SECC. G/asgow—Fa/kirk Wheel, Sun 2 Mar. Ham. FOr more information go to

www. GOB/keCrg or ca/l 07932 460093.

Edinburgh Ski Club

ski I snowboard I outdoor I social

- ski holidays to top resorts -

- weekend trips & days up north - - biking, walking & outdoor trips too - - friendly atmosphere and social events all year round!! :-)

Meet us for a drink and a that at the RAEBURN HOUSE HOTEL STOCKBRIDGE every Tuesday evening from 9.15pm, or (all 0131-220-3121 for an info pack. www.edinburghskiclub.org.uk

Skiing 8 Snowboarding

Snowsport Stotland is the national governing d snowboarding.

body for skiing an

. ' ‘3' and .ie'if send _, - .. .oirneSno'asponHendboox2003. 3' see Sno.-.sports<021anc Org

27 Feb—13 Mar 2003 TH! LIST 87