Scottish spirit runs deep in Manhattan as thousands turn out for the 11th Annual Scotland Run in Central Park

NEW YORK, April 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A total of 9,500 runners covered 95,000 kilometers in 125,400,000 steps as they took on the 11th Annual Scotland Run in New York's Central Park this morning.

The Scotland Run, which is part of the 2014 Scotland Week festivities, saw a sea of tartan take over the heart of Manhattan as runners donned kilts, sweatbands and saltires.

First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, met with students from Morrison's Academy in Perthshire, Scotland as he led a procession to the start line.  The First Minister then congratulated the first male winner, Diriba Degefa Yigezu, and first female winner, Delilah Dicrescenzo, as they crossed the finish line in 29:56 and 34:33 respectively.

First Minister, Alex Salmond said: 

"Scotland Week offers a wealth of opportunities for people with an affinity for Scotland to come together and the Scotland Run is one of many events that accomplishes this on such a large scale.  The atmosphere in Central Park on race day really captures the Scottish spirit with bagpipers playing the pipes to set the pace for the runners around the route.  It has been another great year for athletes, supporters and fundraisers to celebrate all things Scottish in the heart of Manhattan."

Following the run, supporters and runners continued the Scottish festivities at a Scotland-themed festival with a golf simulator where participants played on the Gleneagles Ryder Cup course, a Scottish themed photo booth to capture their day, and enjoyed performances by Scottish singer Nina Nesbitt and Scottish bands Lau and The LaFontaines.

This year's Scotland Week programme will also showcase Scotland's innovation and creativity through a series of cultural activities and events.  The Kelpies – 1:10 scale model steel maquettes of horse-head sculptures will be in Bryant Park from 21 March - 22 April and 'As Others See Us', a photography exhibition inspired by the works of Robert Burns will be at Pop International Galleries Midtown from 2 - 10 April.

Two critically acclaimed Scottish plays from the Traverse Theatre will perform at 59E59 theatres in the heart of Manhattan.  

For more details of runners, please visit www.nyrr.org

About Scotland Week

Scotland Week activities include the 16^th Annual Tartan Day Parade, also on April 5; the photo exhibit, "As Others See Us," from April 2-10 at Pop International Galleries Midtown, Citicorp Building in "The Atrium;" the exhibit "Scots Jews: Identity, Belonging and the Future," on display through April 27 at the Milton J. Weill Gallery at the 92^nd Street Y; and the Caledonia Collective, featuring performances by Scotland Fun Festival performers, Nina Nesbitt and Scottish bands Lau and The LaFontaines at Webster Hall on April 6.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140405/NY99166

SOURCE Scottish Government