50 is the magic number for Mark’s 10k race challenge
An expat Paisley man has pledged to keep on running even after he’s crossed the finishing line in tomorrow’s 10k
Mark Kirkham is returning to his home town in a bid to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support but says he won’t stop there.
The superfit 50-year-old aims to complete no fewer than 50, 10k races during his jubilee year to raise £50,000 for the charity.
Mark lives in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the Paisley 10k is race number 16 in his year-long bid to give the charity a huge cash boost.
The former Sacred Heart High School pupil, who grew up in the Ferguslie and Dykebar areas of the town, decided to raise money for the charity after it helped both his mum Maura and dad Billy before they died from cancer several years ago.
Mark said:“I’ve wanted to do something to say thanks to Macmillan Cancer Support for being there for both my parents in the last stage of their lives.
“The charity provided support and comfort, not just for my mum and dad, but also for my family during these times and beyond.
“They gave us all kinds of support from physically helping, giving advice to access other forms of support, right down to offering a shoulder to cry on.”
It was a 50th birthday gift from his sister Sharon that led to him travelling the 300 miles to take part in the Paisley 10k.
“Sharon bought me a ticket to see The Cure at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow,”he said.
“And when I discovered that the Paisley 10k was only two days later, I thought I would include the event as one of my 50 races.
“I only moved to Wales four years ago, so I know the 10k race course very well and I hope to complete the run in around 50 minutes.”
Renfrewshire Leisure is organising the Paisley 10k and Fun Run, which has the Armed Forces veterans’charity, Erskine as the official charity partner.
Mark will be joined in the race by Paisley Buddies, Elaine Allan, Craig Corbett and Alan Coombes, who are also raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Mark, they can pledge money on his JustGiving Page www. justgiving.com/fundraising/50at50for50.
See the Express on Monday and Tuesday for 10k results and photographs.