By Stephen Stewart BBC Scotland news website

Running's rising popularity has huge economic benefits

Running is no longer the lonely preserve of a dedicated hardcore of athletes.

Almost 13,000 entrants recently took to the streets for the women's 10k race in Glasgow and many major events have seen numbers grow by up to 25% in the last few years.

The sport also now generates millions of pounds for the nation's economy.

The BBC Scotland news website has been informed that the Great Scottish Run alone has generated about �50m in sponsorship over the years.

We have witnessed a massive increase in people participating in recreational running Alistair Currie Jogscotland manager Your views: The cost of running

It brings in some �2m in sponsorship each year.

Two years ago the Loch Ness Marathon generated almost �1m in additional revenue, with runners spending their cash on accommodation, food and leisure activities.

More than 40% of the 2,594 runners at Loch Ness in 2004 were from outside Scotland, with 10% coming from overseas.

It is estimated that events such as the London Marathon and a number of other mass participation runs across the country raise more than �125m for UK charities every year.

Alistair Currie is manager of jogscotland, a Scottish Executive-backed organisation which promotes jogging.

Tourist attraction

He said: "In recent years we have not only witnessed a massive increase in people participating in recreational running, but also the development of a new phenomenon - running tourism.

"Approximately 20 people took part in the UK's first organised trip to the New York Marathon 20 years ago, now over 3,000 people make up the UK contingent.

"Equally, here in Scotland people travel from across the globe to take part in runs like the Loch Ness Marathon and the Great Scottish Run.

"This raises the profile of the area as a tourist attraction and provides obvious economic benefits to local communities as money is being spent on accommodation, food and shopping."

This year's Great Scottish Run will take place in Glasgow in September.

Organisers are expecting more than 20,000 competitors for the event, which forms part of a packed schedule of runs this summer.

Women are helping to make running a highly lucrative pursuit

This year sees the 25th year of the event, with almost 300,000 people having entered since the first race in 1982. Last year's record entry of 19,326 is expected to be surpassed this year.

The growth in running's popularity has triggered a subsequent rise in retail spending, with a proliferation of specialist running shops.

Duncan Riddoch is an accomplished runner and the managing director of Run 4 It, which started two years ago and now has three stores across Scotland.

He said: "Running has huge economic knock-on effects. People travel to events across the country and spend money each step of the way.