Runners out for Great Pentland Push and Road Block Run to raise cash for good causes

RUNNERS from teams across the city pushed themselves to the limit for two major running events at the weekend, raising tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.

Hundreds of participants trekked the vast wilderness and scaled the peaks for the Great Pentland Push, covering 26, 18 or 13 miles of the regional park on Saturday in Edinburgh’s answer to the Caledonian Challenge. Funds raised will help rebuild St Columba’s Hospice, which supports those suffering long-term and terminal diseases.

One group taking part in the event was Ruthie’s Randoneusses – which is French for ramblers – who were walking to remember their friend, Ruth Tainton.

“When Ruth was in the hospice, she was always telling us to get out walking” they told the Evening News last month.

“We’ve been looking for a new challenge and this came at just the right time. I think Ruth would approve.”

Over in the less hostile surroundings of Holyrood Park yesterday hundreds more runners scaled, slid under and crawled a range of obstacles for the Road Block Run.

Fancy dress replaced sensible hiking wear as competing teams waded through soap suds for the event, held to raise funds for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.

Soggy contestants cheered as they completed the race and collected prizes for fastest male and female, fastest teams and the all important best fancy dress.

Among the first-timers were eight runners from Fauldhouse Amateur Boxing Club, who were taking part in honour of their trainer Pat Toner, who suffered a stroke around two years ago.

Now in its sixth year, the Road Block Run, previously the Urbanathlon, has already raised approximately £115,000 for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, and aims to add another £22,000 to the pot from this weekend.

Meanwhile, crowds also flocked to the National Museum of Flight, East Fortune for the spectacular 300-vehicle Wheels and Wings show.

Spectators watched the White Helmets defy gravity and fly through flames in an awe-inspiring stunt motorbike show.

Visitors also tried out the special ‘off-road’ Segway two-wheel vehicles and listened to a talk from Tony Yule, a former Concorde pilot, who related his experiences flying the world’s fastest jet airliner.

Alex Hill, a former ITV and RAF weather forecaster, also discussed weather – which thankfully for visitors remained rain-free yesterday – and the role it plays in the transport and defence industries.