A 60-tear-old who was borderline obese less than a decade ago will compete in a gruelling 95-mile race for charity.
Ultra runner Robin Wombill is taking part in the West Highland Way Race from Milngavie to Fort William next weekend to raise funds for breast cancer patients at Perth Royal Infirmary.
The PRI clerical officer is running in memory of his niece, who died of cancer last year.
Mr Wombill started running in 2003 after being told by his GP that he was on the brink of becoming obese.
After entering a 10k race, he found he had a hidden competitive streak and began running longer and longer races.
He entered the world of ultra running any race longer than a marathon in 2010 and set himself the goal of completing the West Highland Way Race.
Since then Mr Wombill has completed seven ultra races ranging in distance from 30 to 53 miles, which made him eligible to apply for this month’s endurance test.
He said: ”The race has been a dream of mine that has taken over my life for the last three years. My team is to be called Team Pippi in memory of my niece Heather Nicholson who died last November of cancer.
”During her treatment she would go to work in a selection of wigs and her favourite was a bright red wig with pigtails like the cartoon character Pippi Longstocking, a little girl who was unconventional and very strong just like Heather.
”I am proud to name my team after her and run in Heather’s memory.”
The race starts at 1am on Saturday, June 23, at Milngavie and Mr Wombill has until midday the following day to run the 95 miles to Fort William following the route of the West Highland Way footpath.
He will be joined by his Team Pippi support crew, who have followed him all over Scotland for the last three years as he prepared for the race.
His squad consists of his wife Anne, son Richard and friends Iain and Fiona Morrison.
The medical records department at PRI has been raising money for the Breast Care Fund at the hospital for years as a thank-you for the help given to friends and colleagues.
Every penny they raise goes towards helping the Uplift breast support group.
It is also spent on the purchase of specialist equipment, allowing the latest developments to be used for the benefit of breast cancer patients.
The West Highland Way Race began with just two people in 1985 and has grown to an annual field of around 150 each year.
Health and safety requirements almost finished it in the mid-90s but it has gone from strength to strength after being saved by determined enthusiasts.
Competitors must now have motorised back-up and assistance on hand for the hours of darkness and final stages.
Typically only three-quarters of entrants finish the exhausting run, which passes through Balmaha, Auchtertyre, Bridge of Orchy, Glencoe and Kinlochleven.
The record men’s time an astonishing 15 hours 44 minutes was set in 2006, with the lady’s record of 17:37 set the following year.
To sponsor Mr Wombill visit sponsor-me.org/robinsbigrun