As the acting stars of CBeebies popular pre-school show Woolly and Tig, the McCredie family are familiar with facing tasks together, which should serve them well as they prepare to tackle the Global Energy Inverness ½ Marathon’s 5K Fun Run route this spring.

 Colin McCredie, perhaps better known for his TV roles in Taggart and River City, and in Danny Boyle’s film Shallow Grave, will be running the riverside route on Sunday, 9th March to help raise money for the Global Energy Inverness ½ Marathon’s official charity – Highland Hospice.

 He will be joined by his daughters Betsy (5) and Maisie (8) – the respective face and voice of the much-loved children’s character Tig who guides young viewers through the world of new experiences with the help of eight-legged sidekick Woolly.

 And now the girls (and their Dad!) will be braving a new experience of their own as Team McCredie take on the city’s 5K Fun Run course as a family for the first time during the 30th anniversary of the Inverness ½ Marathon running event in March.

 The family, who sadly have firsthand experience of watching a loved one fight cancer, will be taking part to help raise the profile of the work of hospices and the ever present need for fundraising.

 “I think the work that hospices do is absolutely amazing, and they really don’t receive the funding that they deserve, which is why we wanted to support the Highland Hospice by running the Inverness ½ Marathon 5K Fun Run,” explained Colin.

 Highland Hospice’s Community and Events Fundraiser Carola Highet welcomed the family’s support and said: “We are just delighted that Colin, Betsy and Maisie McCredie are helping Highland Hospice through their participation in this event.  Woolly and Tig is such a popular programme with our younger supporters and Colin has been a well established Scottish actor for many years, so we really hope that people of all ages will be inspired to join them in running for Highland Hospice. We are delighted to be the official charity of the Global Energy Inverness ½ Marathon and hope that its 30thyear is the best year yet!”

 Colin hopes the family’s efforts will spur others into action, with events on offer to suit all abilities from the 5k Fun Run to the 5K Team Attack or the main ½ Marathon, meaning there is no excuse not to get involved.

 “I’m no serious runner, he admitted, revealing that so far the family’s preparation for the athletic event consisted of a few runs around the garden of the family home. “But this really shows that anyone can do it! It’s 5k, that’s five thousand metres – you can jog it or even walk if you have to! Who knows, though, if this goes well I might even be up for the half marathon next year!”

 He added that he thought Inverness was a great place for people to initiate their athletic endeavours, having spent time in the city while appearing at Eden Court and filming for The Pen with Bill Paterson and Imelda Staunton.

“It’s a great place to be,” he said. “On a nice day, a run along the riverside, what could be better?!”

Half Marathon organiser Malcolm Sutherland of Caledonian Concepts said: “We are really proud that in this, its 30th year, the Inverness ½ Marathon continues to extend such a broad appeal, attracting everyone from first-time families, like Colin’s, to serious athletes in training for full marathons.

“Who knows we could even be hosting athletes looking to practice in advance of this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow!

Alastair Kennedy, communications director for sponsor Global Energy Group added: “We are proud to be part of the Inverness ½ Marathon, an event which allows people to make great memories here in the heart of the Highlands, at the same time as raising money for truly deserving causes, such as the Highland Hospice.

“The 30th anniversary event is shaping up to be better than ever and we hope that as many people as possible will take the opportunity to come along and be part of it.”

 

Entry for the Global Energy Inverness ½ Marathon, 5K Fun Run and 5K Team Attack Events is open until 19 February, with cash prizes of £1,000 on offer to the male and female winners of the main race.