Aberdeenshire woman to run 12 marathons in 12 days for MND Scotland

Claire Kelly (34), from Alford in Aberdeenshire, has officially started running 12 back-to-back marathons in aid of the charity MND Scotland.

Claire conceived of the challenge as the next step in her “12in12” journey, which she began in 2016 where she ran 12 marathons in 12 months. In 2017 Claire upped her goal and ran 12 marathons in a single month and this year she will run the equivalent of 12 marathons in 12 days as she runs from Aberdeen to Portlaoise, Ireland in July.

Claire’s previous two “12” challenges have raised approximately £15,000.

Claire aims to cover the 320 miles in less than 12 days, ending the theme of 12in12 on a high. Claire has been testing herself with these challenges to raise funds for MND Scotland following the death of her uncle from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2015.

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This may cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided.

Claire said: “This is most certainly my biggest challenge to date, and I am excited to see what I can do to complete this. In order to get this done in my goal timescale I will be running an ultra-marathon almost every day. Hopefully this year’s challenge, like the year before, will raise funds and start conversations about this illness”.

Claire’s Challenge will begin on the 1st July with the first day covering 40miles along the Deeside Way. The following day will see her run approximately 30 miles a day, until she reaches the ferry to Northern Ireland, which will take her to Belfast. Her run will continue south through the Republic of Ireland until she reaches Portlaoise, County Laois.

“My family will be joining me as much as they can on this, with two of my three sons in training to accompany me on their bikes as much as they can. I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who have contacted me to join in, running what they can with me. I am excited and scared in equal measure!”

Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s Head of Fundraising, said: “I want to thank Claire for taking on this unbelievable challenge for MND Scotland.

“Claire’s determination to take on these increasingly gruelling challenges for MND Scotland is inspiring. It’s because of people like her that we are able to continue providing vital services to people affected by MND in Scotland, as well as funding cutting-edge research into a cure.

“I’m wishing Claire all the best for her latest 12in12 challenge; team MND Scotland will be cheering her on every step of the way.”

You can support Claire by sponsoring her at: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/clairekelly12in12

The run legs in 2018 will be as follows:

1st July Aberdeen – Kincardine O’Neil
2nd July Aboyne – Braemar
3rd July Glenshee – Blairgowrie
4th July Blairgowrie – Crieff
5th July Crieff – Stirling
6th July Stirling – Glasgow
7th July Largs – Troon
8th July Belfast – Loughbrickland
9th July Loughbrickland – Dundalk
10th July Dundalk to Slane
11th July Slane to Edenberry
12th July Edenberry to Rathineska