To mark my 50th birthday in March 2025 I am running the London Marathon on the 27th April 2025 for VSA.
This will be my 3rd marathon following Chicago in 2022 and Boston in 2024. My Boston marathon time of 3 hrs 0 mins and 38 seconds was just good enough to get a qualifying London Marathon 'good for age' time.
Although I've now got a couple of marathons under my belt it is not getting any easier to train for another one. Writing on the 25th April 2025 I have completed the last run of an 18 week marathon training plan. The hard work is done, over 1000km in training peaking at 80km/week with longest runs up to 34km. Injuries, niggles, and the snow, ice, and wind in Aberdeen have not helped, but nevertheless I feel on track at this point. I ran the Berlin 1/2 2 weeks ago and was delighted with a 1:24.34 finish time - a great confidence builder for London....but only half the distance đ¤Ł
I am running in support of VSA (Voluntary Service Aberdeen) who are a charity partner of my employer, bp, and who I have supported in all my marathon runs. VSA provide social care supporting people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and with funding being squeezed across the sector they need the support more than ever.
All dontations will be matched by bp's matched giving policy so will be doubly valuable to VSA, making this a really amazing way to donate!
About VSA
VSA are a social care charity who provide vital care and support to vulnerable children and adults living across Aberdeen, and beyond.
They support people through some of the most challenging times they have ever experienced; and help them to take control of their lives for a brighter and better future.
Every day they change lives by supporting a personâs physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing through a wide range of health and social care services such as residential services and community outreach programmes.
I have visited the VSA mental health facility at Abergeldie House on Holborn Street (which my first run in 2021 helped to support opening), and Easter Anguston Farm which provides work experience for people with learning difficulties. I've seen how much VSA make a difference to people's lives and I really want to do as much as I can to help them.
About the London Marathon
The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the worldâs sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: a celebration of fun, fundraising and fancy dress.
Over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2-mile course â which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace, showcasing the very best that the capital city has to offer.
Whatâs more, these participants have raised over a billion pounds for charity and there have been countless amazing tales of human achievement throughout the eventâs history â living up to its aim of helping participants âto have fun, and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled worldâ.
To mark my 50th birthday in March 2025 I am running the London Marathon on the 27th April 2025 for VSA.
This will be my 3rd marathon following Chicago in 2022 and Boston in 2024. My Boston marathon time of 3 hrs 0 mins and 38 seconds was just good enough to get a qualifying London Marathon 'good for age' time.
Although I've now got a couple of marathons under my belt it is not getting any easier to train for another one. Writing on the 25th April 2025 I have completed the last run of an 18 week marathon training plan. The hard work is done, over 1000km in training peaking at 80km/week with longest runs up to 34km. Injuries, niggles, and the snow, ice, and wind in Aberdeen have not helped, but nevertheless I feel on track at this point. I ran the Berlin 1/2 2 weeks ago and was delighted with a 1:24.34 finish time - a great confidence builder for London....but only half the distance đ¤Ł
I am running in support of VSA (Voluntary Service Aberdeen) who are a charity partner of my employer, bp, and who I have supported in all my marathon runs. VSA provide social care supporting people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and with funding being squeezed across the sector they need the support more than ever.
All dontations will be matched by bp's matched giving policy so will be doubly valuable to VSA, making this a really amazing way to donate!
About VSA
VSA are a social care charity who provide vital care and support to vulnerable children and adults living across Aberdeen, and beyond.
They support people through some of the most challenging times they have ever experienced; and help them to take control of their lives for a brighter and better future.
Every day they change lives by supporting a personâs physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing through a wide range of health and social care services such as residential services and community outreach programmes.
I have visited the VSA mental health facility at Abergeldie House on Holborn Street (which my first run in 2021 helped to support opening), and Easter Anguston Farm which provides work experience for people with learning difficulties. I've seen how much VSA make a difference to people's lives and I really want to do as much as I can to help them.
About the London Marathon
The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the worldâs sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: a celebration of fun, fundraising and fancy dress.
Over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2-mile course â which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace, showcasing the very best that the capital city has to offer.
Whatâs more, these participants have raised over a billion pounds for charity and there have been countless amazing tales of human achievement throughout the eventâs history â living up to its aim of helping participants âto have fun, and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled worldâ.
