Marathon man Chris embarks on another capital charity quest
The 30-year-old ex-captain of FOSROC Super6 side Boroughmuir Bears, and son of Jed-Forest, Scotland and British and Irish Lions ace Roy Laidlaw, is tackling a 26-mile run each month this year to raise money for three charities close to his heart.
This Sunday, March 28, he is taking to the streets of Edinburgh again for the third of his dozen-part series, going from Meggetland and heading for the Forth Road Bridge, out along the Eden Canal, and back.
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Hide AdThe quest is in support of the Murrayfield Injured Players’ Foundation, Marie Curie and Alzheimer Scotland.
Chris decided he wanted to do it after the death last May of his mother, Joy, and the public announcement a few months later that dad Roy, one of Scotland’s 1984 Grand Slam winners, was battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Chris said things were continuing to go well, despite some bouts of discomfort on the most recent run in Edinburgh at the end of February.
"The last one was really hard – I cramped up at about 35 kilometres, so it was pretty tough going!” he added. “I think there’s the realisation that, every time I do one, the challenge is always different – whether that be weather, whether it be the route, or the people I am running with, there’s always a number of different challenges, so that keeps it exciting, I suppose.
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Hide Ad"I think the last one was unusually quite warm, compared to the one before, so I probably just need to get my hydration a bit better than I did. But every one is a learning and every one is a different challenge.”
Chris added: “It’s been really good, with loads of support – we’re at about £8200 in fundraising.
"It’s been awesome and I am really enjoying it. I’m enjoying the whole thing of having the purpose of doing it and just the support from a multiple of different people – friends, family and people I don’t even know just getting in touch.
"It’s been quite refreshing and quite humbling, really. Quite overwhelming at times, almost, that people wil take the time to donate or get in touch. There are still a few to go – we are only two down wth 10 to go, so there’s still a long year ahead. But I am in good spirits at the moment.”
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Hide AdChris intends to base his April run in Fife, while in May, he aims to return to the Borders and tackle a route from Hawick to Jedburgh. He hoped slightly looser Covid-19 restrictions might make travelling a bit easier and allow more people to get involved.
You can keep up with Chris’ progress at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/12in12in21.