Keith man steps up to marathon challenge
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A MAN who took up running just over a year ago is preparing to run the London marathon this weekend for a cause very close to his heart.
Keith resident Ian Anderson (41) is running the gruelling 26.2-mile route for Diabetes UK, having been diagnosed with the condition while still at school.
Aged 13, he was sent home from lessons with what both the school nurse and his mum thought might be a flu.
When the unquenchable thirst and fatigue remained, the doctor was called and tests confirmed Type 1 Diabetes.
His life changed overnight as he learned to cope with daily injections as well as counting the carbohydrate content of everything he ate.
Ian, who is studying computing science at Moray College UHI, has endured both hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic attacks, and was fitted with an insulin pump last May.
He began training last April, following a Couch to 5k programme at first before tallying up the training miles on the roads, paths and hills of Moray.
He said: "Up until last year, I'd never run before in my life. I couldn't even run round the block. Now, I really love it.
"Having diabetes, I also have to balance insulin, food and training so it has taken a lot of planning but I'm looking forward to it."
As part of his training, Ian successfully undertook the Inverness Half Marathon in March and the Glenlivet 10k at the start of April.
He's also travelled to London to undertake a number of runs in the lead-up to Sunday's event.
Tasked with raising £1900 for the charity as part of his marathon effort, he has already smashed that target.
A donation of £300 from the Elgin Strathspey and Reel Society has taken him over the £3000 mark and Ian has now raised £3155 for the cause.
He hopes to raise enough money for research and resources for sufferers all over the UK and you can visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-a-140577 to make a donation.
"I've always wanted to achieve something great and when I cross the finish line at London I will be left with a great sense of personal achievement, as well as knowing that I have raised some money for Diabetes UK," he said.
