Running man Mike Burgess completes 40 half-marathons, Berlin Marathon and skydive for Scottish Association for Mental Health
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CHARITY runner Mike Burgess has nailed a phenomenal series of challenges in 2021.
The Keith-based pilot has completed 40 half-marathons, the Berlin Marathon and a skydive.
Mike ran his final half-marathon on his 40th birthday on December 3.
So, far he has raised more than £5000 for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
Mike, a member of the Keith JogScotland group, decided to do something special to celebrate his 40th year.
His final half-marathon saw him and some supporters run from Hopeman to Lossiemouth, and finishing in Elgin, where his wife Vicky, and daughters Charlotte (7) and Rhea (17) were waiting to cheer him over the line before a well-earned birthday party at the Mansion House Hotel.
"I feel very proud, especially since the last few runs I have been nursing a knee injury," said Mike.
"I had to do four runs in 15 days at the end because I had been unable to run for a while because of injury.
"The weather was pretty brutal for the last one, with rain, hail and wind but the group kept me going."
Including his training miles, Mike has completed more than 1,900 km this year.
"I feel sore, I feel 40 but I feel good," he joked.
"The feeling is also pride and accomplishment.
"The people who have joined me on my runs over the year have been immense. Vicky and the girls have been a pillar of support too."
Mike thanked everyone who has supported and sponsored him, and in particular, JogScotland Keith, The Wild Dookers, Keith Kilt and Textile Centre, which donated a mohair bear which raised £500 in a raffle, Oh Crumbs bakery in Keith, Jason Wright, who donated a tour of Cardhu Distillery to raise money and and Jason's employer Diageo.
You can still support his fundraising at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michaelburgess40
