Great Edinburgh Run: Biker ready for blade runner challenge

A BIKER who cheated death after his leg was chopped 'clean off' in a crash 16 years ago is now preparing to take part in his first long-distance event while wearing a running blade.

Alisdair Lawrie is gearing up for the Great Edinburgh Run. Picture: contributed

Alisdair Lawrie, 52, was travelling home from Haddington after a motorbiking event in 2000, when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the gable end of a wall.

The father-of-three said he remembers looking down and seeing his leg was like a “banana out of skin” but he can’t remember much about what happened next.

After having his life saved by a British Red Cross first aider who witnessed the incident and called an ambulance, Alisdair, who lives in Bathgate, is now preparing to take part in the Great Edinburgh Run next weekend.

He said: “I was about 37 at the time of accident and I just remember being doped up after it and having skin grafted.

“If it hadn’t been for the first aider that was on the scene within minutes, and my own fitness levels, there is a good chance I would have died – my heart rate was dangerously low.

“As I started to recover in hospital, I decided there and then I was just going to get on with my life and try my best to keep things similar to what they were beforehand. I was a keen runner.

“My leg took a long time to heal but I didn’t get too down as I just looked on it from the viewpoint that there’s always someone out there worse than you are – some people have lost arms and legs.”

Alisdair, who works as a lorry driver in an automatic vehicle, has participated in a few smaller-scale running events since his recovery but the Great Edinburgh Run will be his main challenge.

After joining the West Lothian Triathlon Club, he managed to regain his strength, and learn to adapt with a running blade.

The Great Edinburgh Run, which takes place on Sunday, April 17, is a ten-mile route around the city, starting and ending in Holyrood Park at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

The path takes runners on a tour around some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Bobby, the Scott Monument and the Royal Mile.

Mr Lawrie, who is getting married next month, added: “I’m really looking forward to the event and I’m hoping to finish at a half-decent pace. I would encourage anyone who might have been in an accident or had an experience similar to myself to never give up.

“There’s always support out there for you so take it if you can.”

Registration for the Great Edinburgh Run closes on Monday at noon. To enter visit www.greatrun.org/ednews.

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