Marathon man David “Dyke” McKenzie powered his way through the Perthshire countryside on Sunday in honour of one of his closest friends.
Mr McKenzie was inspired to put on his running shoes after the shock death of his best friend Alistair “Asty” Fleming.
The grandfather from Inchture collapsed and died of a heart attack in April last year.
Mr McKenzie, a sales and business development manager, began training for this year’s London Marathon, which was due to take place in April.
When the event was cancelled because of coronavirus safety fears, it was rescheduled for this weekend but then cancelled again, except for a few elite athletes.
Mr McKenzie was one of 45,000 runners who took part in the London Marathon remotely, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
He took on the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge through villages around Carse of Gowrie, starting and ending at Longforgan Park where Mr Fleming’s wife Emma and her family were there to cheer him on.
“We were sat at his bedside when the doctors told us there was nothing more they could do for him,” said Mr McKenzie.
“I went home in a daze and turned on the TV. The London Marathon was on and I said to myself there and then: I’m going to do that for Asty.”
“The support for this has been fantastic,” said Mr McKenzie.
“A lot of that is down to how well liked Asty was. He was just such a nice, quiet lad.
“He seemed to know everyone and everyone seemed to know him.”
“I just wanted to do something to keep his name out there.”
Mrs Fleming and the couple’s two daughters have also been fundraising in honour of Asty, who was just 56 when he died, and have used the money to install a defibrillator in Longforgan.
She said: “I know it’s too late for my husband, but we wanted to make sure there was something in place for other families.
“I remember my husband and I were standing looking out over the garden on Easter Monday.
“We were talking about putting in the decking, and I remember we were laughing.
“Then he went to the bathroom and just collapsed. I managed to get a small heart beat from him and called 999.
“He stayed on for three days, but I think he was really gone on the Monday. At least my girls had the chance to say goodbye properly. Everyone was heartbroken.”
Meanwhile, a Stonehaven RNLI volunteer ran a marathon in the town in aid of the lifeboat charity.
Duncan MacKintosh was also due to complete the London marathon in April.
He has raised more than £1,450 so far, with his employer, BP to double his total.
To support Mr McKenzie’s marathon efforts visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/d-mckenzie4
Donations can be made to Mr MacKintosh on his Virgin Money page.
