Fife Highland Games boss running 131.4 miles after event cancelled

The Ceres Highland Games, like many events due to be held this summer, was cancelled earlier this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving the organisers with expenses to cover.

Inspired by the 2.6 challenge, set up following the cancellation of the London Marathon to help raise funds for charities and groups that would usually benefit from the run, committee president Richard Cleary has started his own fundraising challenge.

In the 1314 challenge – named after the year when the games was first held – Richard aims to run 131.4 miles in June, completing it before June 27, the day this year’s event was supposed to be held.

Richard started on Monday and hopes to finish in under three weeks.

“We rely entirely on the fundraising to go every year,” explained Richard, a member of the Dundee Road Runners.

“We’re always looking for ways to fundraise. We also know that some of businesses might not be around next year or might have to cut back.”

The event costs around £18,000 to run every year, covering everything from prize money to insurance. A team of volunteers throughout the village also support the games.

It is hoped the games will be back next year.

“The games, we think, have been running consistently since 1314, apart from the war years,” Richard added.

“We can only look ahead as much as the regulations allow us.”

To support Richard’s fundraising challenge for Ceres Highland Games, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/CeresHighlandGames1314.