For a runner used to putting her body through the strains of the ultra-marathons on a regular basis, you would think that the Bank of Scotland's Great Scottish Run should be a relative walk in the park for Aurel Lewis.

However, that isn’t to say that the Falkirk native wasn’t equally blown away by the experience.

It is hard to imagine a runner as keen as Aurel, who initially took up the sport five years ago having suffered from an eating disorder.

Now running insatiably, her infectious positivity was on full display yet again on the streets of Glasgow.

“It was a fantastic day, I really enjoyed it,” she said.

“I’ve taken part in a lot of different types of events, but I feel that the whole atmosphere at that race was brilliant.

“There were kids out with bagpipes, there were people hanging out of windows clapping you along. 

“The people running for charity – the charities were out cheering you along, the whole buzz of the city was just amazing.

“From the minute you arrive through to the finish area it was fantastic. The people of Glasgow on the streets were incredible – I couldn’t believe the support, so it was a fantastic day and I really enjoyed it.

Aurel ran the Great Scottish Run as part of the Bank of Scotland’s Community Challenge, launched by race sponsors Bank of Scotland to help get Scotland active – with the programme in its second year.

The campaign aimed to recruit one runner from each of the 32 local authorities in Scotland to take on a ‘10 week to 10k’ running challenge, with each receiving a personalised training programme by an expert coach in the weeks leading up to the run, which took place on Sunday 30 September.

And whilst the long-distance ultra-marathon races remain her true passion, Aurel admitted that it is nice to experience a variation on the theme from time-to-time.

“It was actually really good,” she continued.

“I didn’t go out with a specific target. Everybody goes out and says to just enjoy the day and that’s what I did.

“I just soaked up the whole atmosphere, I didn’t go out to burst myself, I just really enjoyed it.

“The difference between doing the short distance and being out six, seven, ten hours, it was really good.

“Ultra-marathons are always going to be the difference at heart, but I would certainly be looking to do smaller, shorter races as well because it was nice to go out on a day and actually enjoy it without being completely knackered at the end of it.

“We went for lunch afterwards, whereas after an ultra-marathon – you can be out for 12 hours at a time – the last thing you want to do is sit in a restaurant!”

Bank of Scotland is celebrating its 10th year as partner of the Great Scottish Run.Entries for the 2019 Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run are now open at www.greatscottishrun.com