BBC Two

Starting now on BBC Two Scotland is live coverage of the Great Scottish Run, now firmly established as Scotland's leading half marathon.    

Dougie Vipond presents live coverage from George Square in the heart of Glasgow

Michael: Good luck to everyone participating in the Cardiff Half Marathon today!!

Caroline Matthews: Good luck to everyone running the Cardiff half marathon today. Looks amazing down there.

Dione O'Brien: Good luck @Kathchad and Co running the Cardiff Half today.

Get in touch with your good luck messages whether you're in Scotland or Wales today. Use #getinspired , externalor text 81111

Anyone taking part in today's Cardiff Half Marathon or supporting around the route has a good chance of spotting a celebrity or two. 

Here are a few taking part: 

• Shane Williams - former Wales international rugby player
• Gethin Jones - TV presenter
• George Rainsford - Star of Casualty
• Eve Myles - Torchwood actress

Anyone taking part in today's Great Scottish Run or supporting around the route has a good chance of spotting a celebrity or two. 

Here are some who are running: 

10K

• Yvie Burnett - Vocal coach off The Voice, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor   
• Zara Janjua - Presenter of STV's The Late Show
• Jennifer Reoch - Presenter STV's The Riverside Show
• Cal MacAninch - Mr Thackeray in Mr Selfridge
• Des Clarke - Capital Radio presenter

Half Marathon

• Gary Lamont - Robbie Fraser in River City

Here is one Olympic Games silver medallist on the finish line...

It will be looking busier than that before long.

Louise Andrew
Our woman on the course

New to running? Newbie 10k runner Dawn joined Larbert's @jogscotland group for support....

Sport really can bring communities together. 30 members of Glasgow's Gorbals neighbourhood united for friend with Huntington's disease....

Sticking near to the flag-bearing pace setters gets you lots of free encouragment...

Running motivation: You never know how vital a service can be until you need it and that was the case for Paul when it came to the Wales Air Ambulance. When his mother, Phylis, fell down the stairs at home. 

In her 70s, Phylis had evidently injured her spine and blood was pouring from a head wound. Phylis was flown to hospital in Hereford where she recovered. Things though might have been rather different though if she had to travel by road. 

42-year-old Paul, who is running with friends today says: "It was an incredibly worrying time when mum fell and I dread to think what might have happened without the air ambulance. 

"For the area where my parents live it can be an absolutely vital service. I'm amazed it is privately funded and it was a no-brainer when I decided who I wanted to be running for."

We're going to bring the stories behind a number of runners in both cities today.

Each of them are running for a special, emotional reason close to their heart. 

Here is one of them...

Here are the first winners of the day in Glasgow. 

The half marathon race gets under way at 11:30 remember. If you're out on the course supporting or on the start line, then send us your pictures!

Here's the moment the mass race got underway in Cardiff this morning..

You can get involved on Twitter at #getinspired, external, on the Get Inspired Facebook page or by emailing getinspired@bbc.co.uk

BBC Sport Wales

Here is former Wales rugby player Gareth 'Alfie' Thomas speaking to BBC One Wales earlier: "I am unbelievably proud. This year we were trying to match last year and now we have got 100 women who have come from different lives and professions and have managed to cram in training. 

"That in my eyes is legendary.

"They have to inspire other people. All of these woman watched last year and thought 'I'd love to do that'. This time last year these women thought they couldn't do it.

"It is about having a healthy lifestyle. This is the beginning for them."

A year after training a group of 16 unfit ladies to run the Cardiff Half Marathon, former Wales rugby international Gareth 'Alfie' Thomas has been helping three new teams prepare for today's race.

But some of them adopted some rather unusual training and preparation....

Alfie's Angels have just crossed the start line to begin their race.

Louise Andrew
Our woman on the course

Brothers-in-laws Craig and Steven (and wall art) just hanging before the race

Hopefully this haggis won't run in circles!

Fancy leading the elite half marathon pack?

Sandy and Pam have landed jobs as bike marshalls.

Image source, BBC Sport

The Great Scottish Run 10K has begun, the main race gets under way at 11:30 BST and tune into BBC Two Scotland from 11:00 BST for live coverage. 

Tanni Grey-Thompson
11-time Paralympic champion on BBC Radio 5 live

It is a beautiful course, absolutely perfect for runners.

Image source, Cardiff Half Marathon

Starting in the shadow of the castle walls, the route takes in the sites of the city centre, the bay and Roath Park, before finishing in the Civic Centre.   

Speaking of someone who will be warm by the finish line...

Tudor Gwynn Suganami Jones has a bit more of a challenge in Cardiff than others as he will running encased in the metal suit weighing 26kg with lots of padding. 

He only started running seriously in February having given up smoking and training has drawn some strange looks, but Tudor is hoping to complete the Half Marathon in under three-and-half hours. 

Read more about Tudor and other inspiring stories here.

What a sight. 

Led by the elite runners, 23,000 people have set off on their 13.1 mile journey.

I spotted a man in a panda costume. Keep an eye out if you're supporting today, I think the runner in that suit will be be quite warm by the end. It is a lovely day in Cardiff.