Student Gillies dons his wellies to run the Edinburgh Marathon
GILLIES Boyd, a 20-year-old from Argyll and Bute, is set to run the Edinburgh Marathon in his wellies, all in the name of charity.
Currently studying Agriculture at SRUC where he is about to go into his final year of his degree, he has been involved within the agricultural industry for most of his life.
His family have been exhibiting and showing Highland ponies at shows around the country, including the Royal
Highland and Blair Atholl Horse Trials.
Having always been physically fit, especially when it comes to longdistance, he decided on his 20th birthday last year to challenge himself by entering the Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, having friends and family personally affected by cancer.
This his first-ever marathon. He's been training for it for nearly five months – and has decided to do it in his wellies!
Gillies said: “It was never really my goal to do the marathon in wellies – I only decided a few months ago.
“I thought it would be fitting due to my deep connection to farming and for how long I’ve spent in them – here was no running shoe that could replace how comfortable I am in my wellies.
“I’m going to be sure to pack lots of plasters, bandages and sudocrem for the marathon – I’m sure I will encounter a few blisters, cuts and cramps when running.
“I am aiming to raise £1000 before the marathon. I also want to auction the wellies I complete the marathon in for further money raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.”
■■ If anyone would like to support Gillies and his cause, head to his JustGiving page at, www. justgiving.com/page/gilliesboyd