Angus woman Angie Mackenzie is fast approaching the finish line in a marathon adventure to mark a milestone year in her life.
While for many the double celebration of a 50th birthday and silver wedding anniversary would be cause to sit back and put the feet up, the Dundee-based COPD practice nurse has instead pulled on her trainers, cycling shoes and hiking boots for a non-stop fundraising mission at home and abroad.
In her big year, Angie, who is from Forfar, has racked up no fewer than five ultra-marathons, three marathons, multiple other events and bagged her first three Munros in aid of a campaign to build a new Highland Hospice, a cause close to the heart of herself and husband Hugh.
Her latest event was the weekend Glen Clova Half Marathon and Angie will round off the year at the Edinburgh Xmas 10k early next month, bringing the curtain down on a “crazy” journey that has taken her across Scotland as well as to Majorca, Vietnam and Venice.
Angie, who works at Wallacetown and Douglas health centres in Dundee, only took up running in 2011 when she completed her first marathon Loch Ness in memory of her mother-in-law and to support family and friends fighting cancer.
“Hugh’s mum and uncle were cared for at the Highland Hospice and I wanted to help them reach their target for a new hospice by taking on a number of cycling and running events in my memorable year,” Angie said.
Having begun 2015 with a bumpy 300-mile cycle ride through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, Venice provided a highlight when she tackled the city’s marathon with her husband and Forfar Road Runners pal Karen Fletcher on the day of her 50th birthday last month.
“I was looking through the events calendar and saw that it fell on my actual birthday so we decided to go for it.
“When I approached the finish line the organisers even played Happy Birthday to me and also allocated me race number 50 so it was a fantastic event.”
Angie’s ultras have included 27 gruelling miles across the Lairig Ghru, the 33-mile Glen Ogle Ultra in five hours and 55 minutes, and the even more punishing Devil of the Highlands, a fearsome 42-mile challenge that Angie finished in a personal record time of eight hours and 56 minutes.
She said: “I’ve raised over £1,700 so far to help fund the new hospice and people can donate either by texting BAKU49 £5 (or another amount) to 70070 or by visiting www.justgiving.com/Angie-Mackenzie1.
“It’s been a great year and not bad for someone who used to hate running,” Angie added.