Erin’s Remarkable Road to the AJ Bell Junior Great Scottish Run
The theme of this year’s AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Scottish Run is ‘Finding Your Superpower,’ and we’re celebrating some of the incredible young runners who embody this spirit.
For 13-year-old Erin, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is more than just a run, it’s a symbol of how far she’s come to being a fit and healthy teen. Born prematurely, Erin was on a ventilator for six weeks, then on oxygen for months, and her lungs suffered significant damage.
After moving to Scotland when she was just 3, her Mum Joyce, a paediatric consultant at Glasgow Children’s Hospital, signed the family up for the Great Scottish Run family mile as it was called then for some fun, and as a way of settling into living in Scotland. Erin walked some; ran some and was so tired afterwards she slept for hours, but she did it!
Mum Joyce reflects, “the warmup and vibe was absolutely fantastic, I’ll never forget that day”. Erin has continued to run since, and it’s played an important part in her recovery, helping her stay healthy and strong.
The Great Scottish Run has become a yearly tradition in their lives and Erin and her family are once again lacing up their running shoes for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. Their goal? To raise awareness about the long-term effects of prematurity and to encourage other children who were born prematurely to take up running too.
Mum Joyce and Erin’s Dad Colin are both running in the Half Marathon, plus their friend Shona, and her brother Sean aged 15 is running in the 10km for the first time. Erin, who had an operation on her airway last year, continues to show remarkable resilience and will be running in this year’s Junior Race “The atmosphere is fantastic,” says Erin, “I love watching the races and being part of it all.”
As Joyce reflects “I’m not a runner by any means, but the positivity of running up St Vincent’s Street is quite emotional, there’s nothing like it.”
For Erin and her family, the Great Scottish Run isn’t just about crossing the finish line—it’s about celebrating health, community, and the power of perseverance.
The 2024 AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great Scottish Run is SOLD OUT. If you missed out this year, sign up to our reminder here to find out when 2025 entries open.
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