Alistair Macpherson planning epic Glasgow to Inverness run in support of Highland Hospice
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AN ultra-endurance athlete is planning to run the 180 miles from Glasgow to Inverness in under 70 hours in aid of Highland Hospice.
Alistair Macpherson, who is also known as Ally K, has already raised £78,000 for cancer charities by completing similar epic fundraising efforts.
He is planning to start his latest venture on April 18 and his route will take him along the West Highland Way, to Fort William and the Great Glen Way, before running along the Loch Ness Marathon route and finishing in the Highland capital.
Mr Macpherson, who was the first man in history to run around the Isle of Skye, has competed in numerous events around Scotland and has previously run non-stop from Portree to Inverness to raise funds for Maggie’s Highlands.
For his third challenge he ran across 10 islands in two days in challenging conditions, but managed to raise £18,106 for Macmillan.
He has also raised funds for Cancer Research but decided he wanted to support another Highland charity – Highland Hospice.
Highland Hospice aims to support people – including their families and carers – living with an advancing, life shortening illness.
It wants people to live the best possible life and to prepare for and experience the best possible death.
Mr Macpherson said: “The charity does wonderful work supporting those in need in the Highlands and I am delighted to raise funds to support them.”
During his run he will be accompanied by a small support team and the journey is expected to take several nights, in a bid to beat the 70-hour deadline, and will finish at the hospice building itself.
He said: “This event is the longest and most challenging I will have attempted yet.
“I will run through several nights and this will be a huge test of my mental strength to keep going.
“I have plenty of experience and a great support team to get me to the finish.
“I can’t wait to get started and hopefully raise some much-needed funds for Highland Hospice.”
His fundraising efforts were recognised in the Scottish Parliament last year by Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant who tabled a motion which stated: “Ally’s efforts are fantastic and should be congratulated. He should be really proud of all that he has achieved and I wish him the very best of luck with this next venture.”
This will be the longest run that he has tackled but he is optimistic about the challenge. He said: “I’ve got plenty of events under my belt now to know how to manage the low points. I keep thinking in my head of all the people the funds raised can help and that keeps me going.”
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