Marathon man Dougie runs in wife's memory

A WIDOWER who lost his wife to a killer heart disease aged just 32 is to run the New York Marathon in her memory.

Tragic Jane Rutherford-Paton, who suffered from cardiomyopathy, died suddenly in February despite hopes that she had the illness under control.

Her devastated husband Dougie, 38, an accountant from Northumberland Street, is set to return to New York, where the couple lived for a year, for the marathon next month for the Cardiomyopathy Association.

Mr Paton said: "Jane was my entire world. I cannot describe the devastation that her death has brought to my life and to the lives of all those who knew her.

"If I can help to ensure that just one person does not have to go though what we have been through, then all the pain and effort will be well worth it.

"Jane particularly loved Central Park and that is where the marathon finishes. Right after the race I'll be visiting her other favourite place - the Magnolia Bakery - for a cupcake."

Mrs Rutherford-Paton, a marketing manager, was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2003.

The condition causes the heart to enlarge and can affect its pumping power. But she appeared to be doing well and the couple were thinking of having a family when she died unexpectedly in February.

Mr Paton, who is a partner in Condies, an accountancy practice, hoped to raise 10,000 for the Cardiomyopathy Association from the November 7 run. But he has surpassed the target with still two weeks to go.

He added: "Training is going fairly well and although work gets in the way sometimes, I'm hopeful of being able to achieve a reasonable time."

Cardiomyopathy affects people of all ages, including babies, and is the biggest medical cause of sudden death in young people. Every week more than four young people die from it in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the Cardiomyopathy Association said: "We are ever so grateful to Dougie for running for the association.

"We don't receive any government funding so we rely on people like Dougie to raise money for us.

"To raise 10,000 before he has even run the marathon is absolutely fabulous and the money will go to help other people like Jane.

"While cardiomyopathy can be controlled with drugs, and sufferers can live long and illness free lives, sadly sufferers can die unexpectedly even while they are being treated."

To help Mr Paton raise more money, go to www.justgiving.com/dougie-paton.