Edinburgh runner will complete 12 marathons to honour his mother’s memory

The 315 mile challenge has already raised £11,000 for Marie Curie Hospice, the charity that cared for the runner’s mother through her last days.

Left to right: Gordon Thomson, Nancy Thomson, Alistair Thomson and Sue Thomson.

Alistair Thomson, 35, completed the first leg of his mammoth challenge last month and will finish his 12th run on January 27, 2022, which will mark the one year anniversary of his mother’s death.

Sue Thomson lost her 15-year battle with secondary metastatic breast cancer in January after over a decade of treatment.

Her final weeks were spent in Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh and the care she received has been described as ‘phenomenal’ by her son.

Mr Thomson said: “The compassion, sympathy and understanding that the staff showed both to her and to us throughout was phenomenal and we are so grateful that she was able to live out her last few days in relative comfort.

“Words will never express our current sadness but we have found some solace that she was surrounded by her family and being cared for by such a dedicated team.”

While the pandemic limited family visits the hospice made sure Mrs Thomson was able to see her two-year-old grandson Hamish before she passed away.

Mr Thomson said: “She got to see Hamish running around in the snowy hospice garden which brought a warming smile to her face.”

After the sad passing, Mr Thomson decided he wanted to celebrate his mother’s life while giving back to the charity that had helped the whole family through.

Initially planning to raise £8,129, the amount it costs to run the hospice for one day, Mr Thomson has already smashed this target having raised £11,000.

Mr Thomson said his mum was always his biggest supporter and he knows she will be rooting for him throughout this 12-month running challenge.

He said: “My mum was one of the most supportive people in my life, from cheering my various feeble sporting attempts, helping me dye cheetah spots in my hair and generally encouraging me in all of my plans and goals.

“She supported me no matter how daft the idea was and I know that she will be rooting for me every step of every run.”

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