Partially sighted Edinburgh man to tackle next week's London Marathon
Steven Waterston is running in aid of charity Guide Dogs
A partially sighted veteran from Edinburgh will tackle his ninth London marathon next Sunday.
Steven Waterston is taking on the race in aid of the charity Guide Dogs, to help others suffering with vision impairment, after he lost much of his own sight following a brain haemorrhage in 2008.
The 50-year-old has run at least one marathon a year for the last 20 years, but likes to keep the exact number to himself as his own achievement.
He started training for next week’s event on Boxing Day, and this year has added the challenge of a costume, choosing to run as one of the world’s most famous racing dogs, in the spirit of the charity.
He said: “a guide dog for some people can give them a sense of freedom that they wouldn’t ordinarily have, and they would be imprisoned within their own environments for fear of going out due to their sight loss, and I fully understand that.”
Steven was motivated to run his first marathon after a 2003 subarachnoid haemorrhage which happened on the day of the inaugural Edinburgh marathon, and his mission was to be able to run the following year’s race, which he managed.
He said: “I though at the time that I would only do one marathon, in fact after my first Edinburgh, I do remember sitting down on the roadside and saying never again, but I was quickly overcome.
“A few hours later when you realise the achievements that you’ve made, and how far I’d come through my recovery.
“I was basically hooked, and I’ve been running marathons ever since.”
In the past Steven has run in support of NHS and military charities, including in 2021 when he raised money in memory of a friend he served in Afghanistan with.
He wants people to know there's a host of reasons to sign up to the run: “if you haven’t already done it, get your shoes on, get yourself signed up.
“It’s well worth the participation and the effort, so good luck to all those who take part, I say.”
Steven is taking donations to the charity on JustGiving.