Friends tell of their shock at death of marathon entrant

Published on Tuesday 25 May 2010 10:02

THE colleagues of an experienced runner who died during the city marathon have spoken of their shock at his death.

Doug MacFarlane collapsed in the first leg of the relay race, which he had been running with three workmates from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

The 52-year-old, described as a "very fit man", was treated by medics on Sunday afternoon but died shortly after arriving at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Mr MacFarlane, who had worked as the venue manager of the whisky society's Leith centre since 2001, was due to hand over the baton to colleague Craig Robson at the second stage, but collapsed on Musselburgh Road at around 12:25pm.

His team, which also included Dean Marinello and Dave Fletcher, did not find out what had happened until later, and friends and colleagues still do not know the exact cause of his death.

Today, Paul Miles, managing director of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, who ran the relay race with Mr MacFarlane last year, said everyone at the city-based society was "deeply shocked" by his death.

He said: "We honestly don't understand exactly what happened to him. He was the first runner in the relay team and his teammates were waiting for him at the second stage marker.

"They were waiting for him there but he never turned up. One of the marshals came up to the team and said that Doug wouldn't be continuing the race, but that's all they knew at first.

"We are all deeply shocked and we closed the centre last night once it became clear what had happened.

"We have been open today but it's been a very sombre day indeed."

Many of the 16,800 runners, including 850 relay race teams, struggled as temperatures soared to around 23C in the Capital.

The marathon's organisers have confirmed that 242 runners were treated by medics, while eight, including Mr MacFarlane, were taken to the ERI for treatment.

He had been running the first leg of the relay race from Regent Road to Musselburgh's Fisherrow Links when he collapsed.

Mr Miles said that Mr MacFarlane, who lived in Marchmont, was known for being active and keeping fit.

He said: "Doug was a very fit man and we're all very shocked at what has happened.

"He was a very capable runner, and he was very keen on hill-walking as well.

"I've spoken to the family and they're obviously very upset. He'll be sadly missed indeed.

"Doug was a very hard worker and he loved his job.

"And he was well-loved by the staff. He was a lovely man and a true gentleman."