Turning 50 was push dad needed to take on epic charity challenge
Mark is going coast to coast as he raises cash for Accord
A big-hearted businessman is going the extra mile — and then some — for charity.
Dad Mark Dinardo, 50, will embark on a gruelling challenge by running, cycling and kayaking from coast to coast across Scotland in the space of just two days.
Starting in Nairn and ending his adventure in the Isles of Glencoe, Mark will see some of the country’s most mysterious and wild locations along the way, passing through Cawdor Castle, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, The Great Glen, Fort William and Loch Leven.
The Rat Race Coast to Coast is an annual fundraising event not for the faint- hearted, and the father- of- two has risen to the challenge in a bid to boost funds for Accord Hospice.
Mark, who runs family property business DP Group, in Paisley, and is a former resident of the town, said: “I turned 50 this year and wasn’t too happy about it.
“I fancied setting myself a challenge and my cousin, Paul Coia, and I decided we would have a go at this.
“Together our team name is ‘Still Nifty at Fifty’, our only hope is that we make it to the end.”
The Coast to Coast challenge starts on Saturday.
On the first day, 1,750 adventureseekers will run for seven miles, cycle for 48 miles and kayak for one mile, stopping midway and pitching a tent overnight.
Sunday will see them face cycle trails for 21 miles, biking roads for 13 miles, run up Glen Nevis for 13 and, finally, kayak one mile across Loch Leven to reach the finish line
Mark and Paul, 51, hope to complete the daunting 105-mile mission in 14 hours.
“I used to run when I was younger, but haven’t done it in years and I’ve never done a challenge like this before,” Mark revealed.
“I’ve had a total lifestyle change in preparation for it. I train for two hours every night and have completely changed my diet — I feel amazing for it.”
Mark had to prepare not only for the physical, but the mental challenges ahead.
He said: “The weather will be a big test and carrying all our food and supplies around with us will add extra weight.
“You need good physical strength for the challenge, but also mental strength and there’s an important nutritional aspect to it too.”
Mark hopes he can raise £1,000 for Accord, which provides . end of life and palliative care in Renfrewshire.
Mark, who lives in Killearn, Stirlingshire, added: “I’ve fundraised before as my daughter Zoe, who is now 17, had kidney problems as a baby, and I raised £ 1,700 for Yorkhill Children’s Hospital in 2000.
“This time I wanted to support a cause that is important to Paisley.”
Support Mark’s challenge by donating online at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/mark-dinardo