If I'm going to overtake my Dad's lifetime record of thirteen marathons I better get moving. My younger brother's bagged sixteen of the things, my mum at least one – my current record of zero marathons means I don't even make the podium in my own family.

Hurdle number one is the Edinburgh Marathon on 29th May 2022. I'll be running to raise money to support the fantastic work that Alzheimer Scotland do in scientific research and supporting families. My dad was diagnosed with the disease in 2019 just a few years after my mum passed away with Parkinson's dementia. They both ran multiple races for charity in fancy dress leading to my dad's selection as an Olympic Torchbearer in 2012.

Emulating my parent's marathon achievements is a tall order but I'll be happy to finish one in a #TeamAlzScot t-shirt knowing my dad's days of badgering me to run a marathon for charity are finally over.

Thanks so much for your support, your donations will be powering me through the wall in training and race day!

--- Post Race Update ---

Mission accomplished! Really happy to finish with a time of 3:37. My legs aren’t speaking to me today but if they ever forgive me I’m not ruling out another one someday.

And wow, can’t believe how much you’ve all donated, thanks so much! Just off the phone with my dad and he's delighted to hear so much has been raised for such a great cause, surprisingly less excited about me beating his best marathon time though.

As for the race itself your donations gave me the much needed mental boost to push through to the finish. Crowds along the coast were brilliant too - music blasted from gardens, kids lined up for high fives and held up inspiring home made signs, my favourite was a girl holding up a bit of cardboard that just said ‘motivational sign’.

26.2 miles felt as long as it sounds but it never became the pain fest I was expecting. No wall was hit and going by how much I was smiling I must have enjoyed the bulk of it, the last 6.2 miles were my fastest. Thanks again for all your unbelievably generous support. I’ll be first on your sponsor list if you ever give the marathon a shot - as rewardingly tough challenges go it's a strong recommend from me!