Scottish running legend Alastair Hay has died aged just 38.

The Central Athletic Club runner represented Scotland in the 2010 Commonwealth Games where he finished 12th in the 1500m discipline.

Scottish Athletics confirmed the tragic passing of "gentle giant" Hay in a statement on Monday morning.

A statement read: "We send our deepest condolences to Lynsey and their two boys, everyone at the club and to all Alastair’s many friends across our sport."

A message from the Central AC group read: "It is with deep sadness that we would like to inform members and friends of the passing of Alastair Hay.

‘"li was an outstanding performer for Central for over 20 years. Moreover, he was an even better friend to all within the club, incredibly kind spirited, and a great supporter of the club and all its athletes.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife Lynsey, his young sons and all his family.

"A memorial and funeral service will be held at West Lothian Crematorium on Thursday 27 June at 11:00am for all to attend."

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Scottish Athletics head of performance Mark Pollard paid tribute to multiple Scottish champion Hay after knowing the well-liked runner for more than two decades.

He said: "Ali was a gentle giant in our sport whose quality and consistency was extraordinary over the years,’ said Mark.

"He was a multiple Scottish champion over the years and Commonwealth Games representative at Delhi 2010, Ali will be missed greatly by the athletics community in Scotland and of course by the Central AC family.

"For me, he was a real catalyst for the resurgence in male 1500m in Scotland – Ali showed the way for the likes of a young Chris O’Hare to aspire to, which led to a chain of success down the years that continues to this day.

"His  record at the National XC in particular was superb.

"He won the Senior Men’s gold on two occasions and a bronze medal in two further years. But I am pretty sure he took just as much enjoyment from being a mainstay in the Central AC team who won the Senior men’s team gold year after year after year.

"Ali was a massive influence on his club-mates and many others."