Legend Liz McColgan an inspiration to running duo
Two Stirling district runners will take on their first ever marathon this weekend after being guided through their training by Scottish running legend Liz McColgan.
Erica Gilchrist, from Raploch, and Kevin Devine, from Dunblane, are part of a team of three running the Marathon on Sunday.
Erica and Kevin join Steven Smyth, from Glasgow, on Sunday after Liz supplied the runners with a marathon training programme and motivational support.
Thirty-nine-year-old Erica said:“I feel a real mix of emotions about my first marathon – excitement, terror, nervousness, paranoia, anticipation... it is like the rollercoaster of emotions from training over the past four months have condensed into a knot in my stomach.”
Liz McColgan, now a coach based in Doha, Qatar, custom built a 16-week plan for the runners to follow, and Erica now feels she is in the best shape possible ahead of her 26.2mile challenge.
She explained:“When I applied for the opportunity to be coached by Liz McColgan I thought it was very much a long shot but if you don’t try you won’t succeed.
“I couldn’t quite believe it when I was chosen and had to read the email from the Great Run Company several times before it sunk in.
“I was so pleased to be given the opportunity as I felt that it would definitely give me the extra push I needed to finish in one piece.”
The runners met Liz in January ahead of the Simplyhealth Great Winter Run in Edinburgh.
Erica said:“[Liz] has been on hand via email throughout training and was so reassuring and practical when I was upset and worried as I had to miss a 14-mile race due to illness during the peak of my training.
Erica, who is raising money for Care of Police Survivors, added: “Training for a marathon is a big commitment and you have to be committed to go out into the cold, snowy darkness when you could be curled up in bed, so I will weigh that up against the achievement I will hopefully feel at the finish line and the ability to be able to raise money for a great cause.”