Craig brings the ‘Marathon’ right back home to Perthshire
A Perth-based employee will swap pounding the streets of London for the Perthshire countryside this weekend for a 26-mile‘virtual’marathon.
Craig Lockhart, who is part of the safety team at Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), was successful with his entry to this year’s London Marathon and had spent many a cold morning and windy weekend prepping for the big day in April.
But when it became one of the first big national events to be cancelled after lockdown began, organisers arranged for this year’s run to go ahead as a virtual one instead.
Running through the streets of London was not only going to be a personal challenge for marathon first-timer Craig, it was also a chance for him to raise funds for a charity close to his heart, Child Bereavement UK (CBUK).
Craig’s marathon kicks off in Pitcairngreen this Sunday (October 4) and he will then head out into the Perthshire countryside before reaching the finishing line on the city’s North Inch.
He said:“CBUK supports children who have lost a sibling or parent, as well as being there to support families who are bereaved of a child.
“I chose this charity because when I was 15 years old my mum died suddenly of an aneurysm in the brain.
“I know first-hand the devastation such a loss can have on a child, and so I wanted to play any part I can in helping others get through it.
“Ironically enough, this charity is needed now more than ever because of COVID and all the families it has affected.”
As well as sponsorship and pledges he’s been getting from colleagues, friends and family, Craig will also be applying to SSEN’s Matched Funding initiative, which offers up to £150 to support colleagues who are taking part in fundraising events.
Having never run a marathon before, Craig was sure to seek expert advice before he started training.
“When I first applied for the London Marathon back in May 2019, I was definitely not a runner – I had only just completed the‘Couch to 5k’program,”he explained.
“While I’ve been hiking for a few years now, it’s a different world putting your body through the intense long running.
“I’m really looking forward to Sunday, my target is to reach the finish line in around four-and-a-half hours, and it’s a great feeling knowing that I’m raising funds for such a worthwhile cause.”
To donate go to https://uk. virginmoneygiving.com and search Craig Lockhart.