Jog and Victor: Still Game stars pay a special visit to Great Scottish Run

Puffing pensioners Jack and Victor crawled to the finish line as they marked bringing the curtain down on 22 years of Scotland’s favourite comedy.

The Craiglang pals, played by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, made an unexpected appearance at the Great Scottish Run Family Mile in George Square in Glasgow, the morning after they kicked off the final run of their hit comedy, Still Game, at the SSE Hydro.

Arriving unannounced, the pair stopped traffic as they walked through the city centre streets towards George Square.

Around 2,000 children, adults and even a few mascots took part in a series of running events, ahead of today’s Great Scottish Run.

Racegoers and supporters couldn’t believe their eyes when the Still Game favourites appeared cheering on stunned runners.

Ford Kiernan, who plays Jack, said: “We are full of beans from last night. You’ve no idea how your material is going to go down when you’re working on it, so it’s about going out there and hoping folk like it.

“Last night showed us they love it. Even though we’ve always had that connection with the audience, it’s still a relief.”

Robert Dolan, from Gourock, who was at the race with his wife and young family, said: “They’re such a great part of Glasgow. You just need to look at the reaction here and the number of shows they’ve done at the Hydro to see what they mean to people.”

© Paul Chappells

Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to cheer on competitors with Scottish athlete Eilidh Doyle on starter duties.

The junior event saw youngsters take part in a 2.5k run which saw Julia Cash and Harris Paterson from Giffnock North Athletics Club cross the line first.

This was followed by the Family Mile before “Harvey the Heart”, from the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, won this year’s mascot race. Under-5s then took part in a 100m sprint accompanied by proud parents.