The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rhiannon hoping for sweet success in race after huge weight loss
fundraising: Slimmer to take on Great Scottish Run for charity after shedding nine stone in a year
A Perth woman is set to tackle a 10k race after losing almost half her body weight.
Rhiannon Meyer-Turner tipped the scales at 20 stone but vowed to turn her life around after suffering from sciatica.
The keen runner almost halved her weight in one year, shifting nine stone as a result of regular exercise and a strict diet plan.
Following the dramatic weight loss, Rhiannon decided to tackle this year’s Great Scottish Run 10k, which will see thousands take to the streets of Glasgow on Sunday October 1.
Rhiannon is also running to raise funds for Mental Health UK – a cause close to home after battling depression. She is now encouraging others to push their limits and believes the Great Scottish Run is the ideal opportunity to do so.
The 26-year-old said: “This year’s 10k event will no doubt prove challenging but I’m confident the hard work will pay off. It’s the furthest I’ve ever ran but I’m a firm believer of setting personal goals and working hard to achieve them.
“Changing my lifestyle over the past year has allowed me to take part in physical events such as the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run. At a healthy 11 stone, I can now enjoy exercise whilst raising money for a great cause.”
Scotland’s biggest weekend of running will see participants follow both 10k and half marathon routes, taking in some of Glasgow’s famous landmarks. Runners will set off at George Square before reaching the tree-lined finish straight in the shadow of Nelson’s Monument at Glasgow Green.
More than 30,000 runners of all abilities are to participate in the three-day event, with Sunday’s 10k and half marathon bringing the weekend to a close.
Alex Jackson from organisers the Great Run Company said: “It’s fantastic to see participants with such inspiring stories taking part in this year’s event. Rhiannon’s impressive weight loss should encourage others to set goals and the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run is the perfect way to get involved.
“As always, we’re thrilled to be organising such a large-scale running event in the heart of Glasgow and look forward to hosting all ages and abilities.”