Teenager’s marathon challenge for SCAA
When lockdown called a halt to a Perthshire teen’s football and futsal activity, he looked for an alternative way to keep fit.
So when family friend Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) vice chairman Mike Beale challenged Ross Cameron to run a sponsored marathon, the Perth Academy pupil showed him a clean pair of heels and took to the road.
And last weekend Ross (17) from Scone put 12 weeks of training to the test as he set off from SCAA’s Perth Airport base to face the gruelling 26-mile challenge.
“It was great,” he said. “SCAA’s crew and mascot Scotty were there to wave me off and I felt good.
“I’d never undertaken anything like this before but I’d stuck to my training programme and I was confident I could do it.” However, after 14 miles around Perthshire’s roads with his parents cycling alongside to encourage him and supply him with water and food, Ross started to feel the burn.
“The aches set in and by the time I completed 19 miles my body started to give up,” said Ross.
“People had been cheering me along the way and I knew I had to keep going. I dug deep and ran on.
“There was no way I wanted to do this again - I had to complete my challenge first time.”
Ross’s training, determination and inner strength helped his feet keep moving to complete the marathon at Perth’s North Inch where family and friends cheered him across the line.
“I was burst,” he said. “Literally in bits but after a soak, a rest and a massage, bits didn’t hurt quite so much.
“I feel a great sense of achievement I’m really pleased to have taken on the challenge and succeeded but I won’t be doing any more running for a while.
“It’s back to the football pitch for my exercise in the future.”
Ross not only succeeded in covering the miles, but also smashed his £250 fundraising target with ongoing support from family and friends currently sitting at over £700.
“My late grandfather was airlifted to hospital after he collapsed on the golf course and I know just what a valuable service they provide,” explained Ross.
“I decided to try and raise some funds for SCAA as it’s such a worthy cause,” he said.
Ross’s challenger Mike Beale said the teenager’s achievement was “remarkable”.
“Going from never having run at all to running a marathon in under 12 weeks is an extraordinary achievement,” he said.
“Ross, ably supported by his family, has trained with enthusiasm and significant effort.
“He was determined to ‘run for SCAA’ from the beginning and I am delighted to thank him on behalf of the whole SCAA team. They join with me in offering our heartiest congratulations.”
Anyone wishing to support Ross’s efforts for SCAA should visit ‘Ross’s Marathon Run’ on Just Giving.