Crohns star Tracy in marathon ambition

Tracy Cameron, 34, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease – a chronic condition caused by inflammation of the digestive system – when she was only 10.

The project manager from South Gyle told how the condition has caused her persistent pain, digestive problems fatigue and reduced her ability to enjoy a normal social life.

She has had surgery in 1990, 2004, 2008 and 2010 when her small intestine became so inflamed that sections of it had to be removed.

But following the most recent operation and changes to her medication, she has bounced back and will compete in the 10K section of the marathon festival on May 26 and 27 to raise £500 and awareness of the challenges faced by those living with Crohn’s disease.

“Since last year, my health has probably been better than it’s ever been,” she said. “I decided I would like to feel fit for a change. One of my friends was in a running club – Harmeny Pentland Runners – and suggested I might like to give it a shot and so I went along. I’ve been going for six months.

“I definitely feel a lot better these days. I sleep better and I feel fitter. I can climb the stairs without feeling knackered.”

For Tracy – chairwoman of the Crohn’s and Colitis UK group in Edinburgh – the challenge of living with the condition was not only physical.

She said: “The disease has certainly been getting a lot more press coverage recently and you have celebrities who have come out to do publicity.

“But in day-to-day social life there’s still a lot of awkwardness – it’s not a pleasant subject for people to talk about.

“There’s stuff you just won’t want to do when you’re having a bad spell. I don’t always want to eat out in a restaurant because I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat something that won’t cause me problems later.

“I’m running in this race because I want to raise awareness of Crohn’s. A lot of people are still not comfortable talking about it and that needs to change.”

Elaine Steven, vice president of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, said: “We are delighted to hear that Tracy is running in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. This is clearly a great achievement for someone living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.