Well-known "portly" businessman David Sutherland was among a seven-strong Inverness team which completed the New York Marathon to raise money for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal at the weekend.
The ambitious £1 million appeal to transform the existing department into a world-class centre for sick children has now reached the half-way stage.
It was the first-ever marathon for 62-year-old Mr Sutherland, chief executive of Tulloch Homes and chairman of the appeal, who had set his sights on reaching the half-way stage. However, he and his walking partner Catriona Cameron, the owner of the Mustard Seed and Kitchen restaurants in Inverness, completed the entire route on Sunday.
"Catriona and I walked the 26 miles and did so against a backdrop of excellent support from the citizens of New York and in particular, New York Police Department." said a delighted Mr Sutherland from the Big Apple. "The crowd was fantastic throughout all the boroughs."
He also paid tribute to the other Highland runners - Neil Cameron, Tony Anderson, of Northern Constabulary, Valerie Matheson of the Breast Care Clinic, his PA Laura Mackintosh and Lorna Mackenzie, a nurse in Ward 11, Raigmore Hospital.
On the eve of the marathon, the Inverness team plus an Aberdeen group running for the ARCHIE Foundation attended a reception hosted by the American Scottish Foundation which is supporting the charity.
Mr Sutherland was also invited to take part in the marathon’s opening ceremony — the Parade of Nations — in Central Park for which he donned his kilt.
He hopes that even more ARCHIE supporters will be encouraged to compete next year in what he describes as "one of the world’s greatest marathons in one of the world’s greatest cities".
"As for a self-confessed portly gentleman from Inverness, I think I’ll stick to the spectacular scenery of Glen Affric and the likes as, at 62, I felt a little over-awed by the spectacle of supremely fit people running this marathon." he said.
* To discover how David Sutherland prepared for the New York marathon, read his exclusive blog, Big Man In The Big Apple. See Friday’s Inverness Courier for more news on the appeal.
