FAMILIES are being invited to join in the fun of the Stirling Scottish Marathon this Sunday at a special event held at Stirling University.

The communities of Bridge of Allan and Causewayhead have joined forces with the University to organise a Family Fun Day on campus from 10am-2pm on Sunday May 21.

Runners taking part in the gruelling 26.2 miles race will pass through the university half-way through the marathon.

And organisers are hoping plenty of local people will take the opportunity to cheer them on while enjoying a host of fun activities themselves.

Marie Gardner, a member of Bridge of Allan Community Council, is among those organising the Family Fun Day.

She said: “We thought we should do something special to mark Stirling’s very first marathon and get the whole community involved in the event.

“It fits in well with our long-term plans to engage local people in being part of an active community and we’re hoping lots of families will come along for a day filled with fun and activities.

“And the university campus is the perfect place to cheer on the runners as it marks the halfway point of the route.”

Visitors to the Fun Day will have the chance to try out some of the sporting activities offered by Stirling University for free including swimming, football and golf.

There will be games for children and plenty of food available ranging from a BBQ to picnic baskets which can be bought at the university café.

There will also be stands staffed by community groups and local sports clubs who will be showcasing what they have on offer.

Organisers are reminding local people that most of the roads in the area will be closed on Marathon Day so the best way to reach the campus from Bridge of Allan or Causewayhead will be to walk there.

They also have opportunities for more sports, health and wellbeing and community-based groups to get involved in the Fun Day by hosting a stand or activity.

Anyone who is interested should get in touch with Marie Gardner via Bofacommunityevents@gmail.com

She said: “We’re keen for more organisations to join us on the day and hopefully this will just be the first of many events celebrating Stirling and its active community.”

The inaugural Stirling Marathon takes place on Sunday May 21 starting at Blairdrummond Safari Park and taking a scenic route past Doune, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan before runners head through the university campus.

From the university, entrants run towards Stirling eventually finishing beneath the ramparts of Stirling Castle.

The race, organised by the Great Run Company, has attracted 6,500 runners from across Scotland as well as legendary athletes Liz McColgan and Zola Budd.