Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Marathon success for lecturer
A fighting fit computing lecturer from New College Lanarkshire has completed an epic fundraising challenge of running four marathons and three halfmarathons to collect cash for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Claire Mcrae, who works at the college’s Coatbridge and Cumbernauld campuses, took part in a mix of in-person and virtual marathons this autumn, including running three marathons in just two weeks.
Starting in September, Claire ran the Great North Run in Newcastle, then the following week she tackled the virtual Boston Half Marathon around her hometown of Saltcoats, North Ayrshire.
It was then off to Germany to take part in the Berlin Marathon.
The following weekend Claire travelled to London where she was representing the RNLI in the London Marathon at the start of October, followed by the virtual Boston Marathon, running the 26.2 miles in the towns and villages around her parents’ home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.
After a short break to recover, she ran the virtual Edinburgh Half Marathon and virtual NYC Marathon to complete her challenge.
Claire, who recently joined the volunteer lifeboat crew at Largs, has been fundraising for the RNLI for nine years after her father was involved in a scuba diving accident off the coast of the Isle of Cumbrae.
An experienced diver, with the correct equipment and planning, he was involved in an accident which resulted in him suffering from the bends. The quick actions of the RNLI volunteers and the Coastguard involved saved his life.
Earlier this year Claire took part in the virtual Kiltwalk and decided to continue her fundraising by setting herself a running challenge.
Claire said: “I have previously completed marathon events for the RNLI. I took part in the Edinburgh Marathon a few years ago and last year, during lockdown, I took part in the
Virtual London Marathon.
“Running three marathons in two weeks is pretty crazy – even for me!
“I have been fundraising for the RNLI for the past nine years and have raised several thousand pounds.
“The work done by the RNLI is so important. No one ever expects to be in a situation where they need help at sea, but if they do they just expect the big orange boat to be there for them and this is my way of helping the RNLI continue saving lives at sea.
“My family and friends have been so supportive of my running. I have been spending my evenings and weekends out running regardless of the weather, on top of my day job and my volunteer press officer role at Largs lifeboat.
“It has been hard work but I have enjoyed it.”
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service, operating 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland. It is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
Claire added: “The Great North Run was the first event I had taken part in since lockdown. It was amazing to be running with other people again! Berlin was incredible and it really felt like the whole city was out to cheer us on.
“It was always a dream to run the London Marathon for the RNLI so that day was literally a dream come true. The support was phenomenal – it was such a great experience.
“I planned the NYC Marathon route to finish at the lifeboat station in Largs. Crew members, family and friends arranged a virtual finish line for me and cheered me on as I ran along the promenade towards the 26.2-mile finish line.”
Claire has already signed up for running events in 2022 and will continue raising funds and awareness for the RNLI, as well as wearing her yellow wellies when she is down at Largs lifeboat station.
To donate to Claire’s fundraising efforts, visit https://www.justgiving.com/ clairerunsberlin