Westquarter man ran three miles every day for a month to support CHAS

Craig Smith took on the 12th annual Marcothon – a challenge in which participants run for a minimum of 25 minutes every single day throughout the month – to raise money for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

The 44-year-old, who works as a technology analyst for Scotmid, has exceeded his £500 fundraising target for the convenience retailer’s new charity partner for 2021, having generated more than £600.

Cash raised throughout the year-long partnership will enable the vital development and expansion of the charity’s outreach service, CHAS at Home, and help them deliver an ambitious mission of reaching every child and family that needs their help in Scotland.

Craig said: “Although I have done marathons and an Ultra Run, this was a completely different kind of challenge because you had to find the motivation to get out and run on 31 separate days, no matter how cold, wet and windy it was!

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“It was really enjoyable to do something that combined keeping me fit and healthy both physically and mentally, as well as raising money for Scotmid’s Charity Partner CHAS, who have had to change how they deliver their services due to coronavirus.

“I managed to keep all of my runs local whilst still being able to take in some of the more notable buildings and locations in the Falkirk area.

“Planning where I would try and get to next kept me motivated throughout the duration of my Marcothon.”

Marcothon began in 2009 when ultrarunner Marco Consani designed a challenge of running at least three miles each day in November to keep him moving through dark days.

After seeing her husband’s fitness and motivation improve, Marco’s wife Debbie did the same the following month and named the challenge ‘Marcothon’.

Word of the challenge quickly spread across social media and numbers have increased year-on-year over the last decade. The challenge rules are simple but strict: there is no playing catch-up, if runners miss a day they are out!

Craig’s fundraising page can be found here

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