Central Park Turns Blue and Tartan for 10th Annual Scotland Run

NEW YORK, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, April 6 at 8 AM, a tide of tartan will descend on New York's Central Park as more than 10,000 runners celebrate Scotland for the tenth annual Scotland Run (10K), part of the Scotland Week festivities. Runners line up at West Drive near 62nd Street and finish at West Drive near 67th Street.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/NY88436LOGO )

A key part of the annual Scotland Week celebrations, and operated by New York Road Runners (NYRR), this year's Scotland Run falls on National Tartan Day, a U.S. and Canadian holiday celebrating all-things-Scottish. The race attracts runners and onlookers from across the globe—many outfitted in kilts, colorful plaid and face paint—as they run to the beat of bagpipes playing traditional Scottish tunes along a 6.2-mile loop in Central Park. The honored guest at this year's festivities will be the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, who will officially start the race and present the award medal to the winner.

"Events held during Scotland Week in New York and across the US and Canada are an excellent showcase for what Scotland contributes globally," explains First Minister Alex Salmond. "It is a source of great pride that we offer the very best both culturally and environmentally to the rest of the world."

During and following the race (8-11am), there will be a festival in Central Park's Mineral Springs (West 67^th Street and Central Park West entrance, next to Sheep's Meadow) with family-friendly activities that pay tribute to Scotland's natural beauty. Activities include face painting, an expert genealogist charting attendees' Scottish heritage, a Bear Grylls Survival Academy survivalist with tips on getting by in the wild, a photo booth, and more. The alternative hip-hop band, Stanley Odd, and the Scottish folk band, Breabach, will perform live music.

Designated a national holiday in 1998 by the US Senate, National Tartan Day is a celebration of all things Scottish and the contribution of millions of Scottish Americans.

For more information on Scotland Week - http://www.scotland.org/scotlandweek

About Scotland Week - #ScotWeek
Scotland Week 2013 is built around the Tartan Day celebrations in the USA and Canada on April 6. Scotland Week incorporates a program of business, political and tourism engagements aimed at the promotion of Scotland as a great place to live, visit, do business, study and invest.

Highlights for 2013 include the 10th year anniversary of the 10k Scotland Run and Festival in New York's Central Park and the Tartan Day parade down Sixth Avenue. 

Scotland Week plays a part in the Scottish Government's engagement strategy with North America and Canada to further strengthen the important historical, cultural and economic links between our nations and ensure that Scotland maximizes the economic opportunities that both markets have to offer for the future - www.scotland.org/about-scotland/government-timeline

Scotland Week 2013 aligns activity to the Year of Natural Scotland (YoNS). Scotland is renowned throughout the world for its breath-taking scenery, biodiversity and unique natural heritage, and the natural environment influences our culture, education, manufacturing, fashion and textiles industry, food and drink.

The Year of Natural Scotland, 2013, is a celebration of Scotland's natural resources.

For more information visit - http://www.scotland.org/natural

SOURCE Scottish Government