TRAINING is hotting up in offices around Glasgow as workplace teams prepare for this year's Great Scottish Run.

The event, supported by Bank of Scotland and Lloyds TSB, has already attracted more than 13,500 runners but organisers Culture and Sport Glasgow have come up with a novel way of getting local businesses interested.

They are providing training for experienced runners to become jog leaders and motivate their colleagues.

The training will be offered to anyone who can convince at least 10 workmates to sign up for the event, of which the Evening Times is media partner, on September 6.

Michael James and Seonaid McGinn, of Lloyds TSB, are leading the corporate challenge in their offices, where 21 people have signed up.

"Running as part of a group is a great way to train - it keeps you motivated and is a good team building exercise," says Michael, who works in the company's group operations department.

"I thought of doing the run myself, but as soon as I mentioned it at work, everyone got interested and before I knew it, 21 people had agreed to do it with me."

He adds: "We have split into two teams - those of us planning to run it are in one team, the others, who want to walk it, are in Seonaid's team, and we're all training hard. It's great fun - I joined a running club too, as I have never done anything like this before and wasn't sure if I could even run the length of myself."

Chairwoman of Culture and Sport Glasgow, Liz Cameron, said: "Events like the Great Scottish Run provide the ideal focal point and motivation for employees to get together and get involved, making sport an integral part of their lifestyle.

"It is well-documented physical fitness impacts in a positive fashion across all aspects of peoples' lives, including feeling happier, having greater energy and being more productive in work."

In addition to the mental and physical benefits, corporate teams will also have the chance to lift the prestigious Corporate Team of the Year trophy, which will be awarded to the team with the fastest four runners to cross the finish line.