Former Fife teacher who suffered debilitating stroke completes marathon for charity

Eric Thomson, retired from his job as the principal teacher of biology at Bell Baxter, and his wife, Lesley, a community nurse in Newburgh, were due to take part in the Great North Run and the Edinburgh marathon, however both were cancelled because of Covid-19.

Eric, who has ran five marathons in the past, was inspired to start his own event.

On Sunday, Eric lined up in Kettlebridge at 10am – the same time and day the Edinburgh marathon usually starts – and began his own marathon through north east Fife.

“It felt so surreal starting a marathon on your own instead of with 50,000 other people,” Eric said.

After leaving Kettlebridge, the 26.2 mile route passed through Kingskettle. The next stop was Balmalcolm, followed by Pitlessie and then Cupar. Eric passed through Dairsie, Guardbridge and Leuchars, then headed towards St Andrews.

The route then went over the Swilcan bridge, along the 18th fairway of the Old Course, before finishing on West Sands.

“Never, never again,” Eric said at the end of his latest challenge. “If you ever see me doing this again, please stop me. This is undoubtedly the hardest thing I have ever done. Without the cheering crowds and fellow runners the challenge is so much more physically and mentally demanding. My only supporter was my wife Lesley, who provided the nine water stations along the route. She had it easy, however, completing the 26.2 miles in the car.

“My wife and both of my daughters, Katie and Julia, have been so supportive throughout my training and I would not have been able to do this without them.”

The challenge, like so many Eric has faced, is even more remarkable considering he fought back from a life threatening incident in 2006. Eric suffered a stroke while playing football, bursting a blood vessel in his neck, producing a clot which surged its way to his brain. If it had gone down into the heart and lungs he would have been dead. It left him unable to walk or talk.

Macmillan Cancer Support is here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, providing physical, financial and emotional support.

If you would like to donate to Eric’s fundraising challenge please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/eric-thomson3.