Three stone weight loss leads to Edinburgh father's marathon success

Two years ago Graeme Sneddon gave up smoking, drinking, changed his diet and bought himself a pair of running shoes.

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The 56-year-old said diet was “not just about losing weight” but about turning his whole life around.

Unable to run 20 yards 14-months ago the determined father-of-two is now ready to run the Edinburgh marathon on May 30.

Graeme Sneddon said working on his health was about more than loosing weight.

He said: “Two years ago I couldn’t run 20 yards and was so unfit that my boys, Finlay and Harvey, put me in goals when we played park football as I couldn’t even run to get the ball.

“I decided to give up smoking and drinking. It wasn’t easy but I certainly feel a lot better and so much healthier.

“I am eating more but eating better foods, lots of healthy fruit. Sweets and crisps were most definitely my downfall, so those have been eliminated.

“I wasn’t doing all this to lose weight, I just felt I needed to turn things around.”

Two years ago Graeme Sneddon couldn’t run 20 yards.

While training has been ‘tough’ the keen runner is motivated not to give up by memory of his late friend Anne Young, who passed away from ovarian cancer two months ago.

Before she passed away, the 69-year-old sponsored Mr Sneddon’s marathon effort which he is using to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.

He said: “Anne went through an awful lot. She had an aneurism, a kidney transplant and then ovarian cancer. She sponsored me just before she died so I have a real reason to keep going and not give up.

“Sadly, we all know Macmillan Cancer Support because of this cruel disease but we all know about the amazing support they give to people. It’s a good feeling to be able to raise funds for them.

The determined father-of-two is ready to take on the Edinburgh marathon.

“I have my Macmillan green T-shirt and I will be running with Anne’s name on it, so she’ll be with me the whole way. I’ve raised nearly £2,500 so far and hope it keeps going up. It’s for such a worthy cause and charities of course need as much support right now as they can get.”

Sally Walker, running events team manager at Macmillan Cancer Support said the team are “amazed” by Mr Sneddon’s effort.

She said: “We cannot thank Graeme enough for his amazing fundraising and choosing to support Macmillan. We hope the sun shines on the day and want to wish every runner the best of luck, you are all amazing.”

Mr Sneddon is looking forward to pounding the Capital’s streets this month and hopes his transformation will inspire others.

He said: “Health is so important and I’m really proud of how I’ve managed to turn mine around. I’ve had a lot of support. If I can get out there and do it, anyone can.”

To donate to Graeme Sneddon’s race CLICK HERE.

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