Ultra distance runner "excited" but "nervous" as NC500 run for Cash for Kids looms
Steven Mackay is aiming to fundraise £50,000 for our charity
A former footballer turned long distance runner says he's "going into the unknown" as he prepares to run more than 500 miles in ten days.
Steven "Sid" Mackay is running his third grueling challenge in as many years in aid of MFR's Cash for Kids.
He's aiming to run around 52 miles inside 12 hours each day, to ensure he can complete the route.
Sid is aiming to raise £50,000 for our charity, to help improve the lives of children across the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.
"Intense" training regime
As he prepares to set off on Friday, Steven told us how he's feeling and what his training has included.
He said: "I’m certainly quite nervous about it.
"Excited about the prospect of a big challenge, but equally nervous there’s a potential I might not complete it.
"Obviously, I’m trying my best to make sure I finish it.
“I started in December doing my running and then increased the mileage around February, it has been intense since February.
"Every weekend, I've been doing runs from a marathon, 30 miles and 40 miles."
Going into the unknown
In June 2020 Steven completed his first challenge for our charity, running from Inverness to Brora and raising more than £17,000 in the process.
He's hoping this year's mammoth mileage will help reach the £50,000 target.
Steven added: "I’m going into the unknown, it’s something that I’ve never done.
"Obviously I did the Wick to Inverness run last year which was 104 miles, which I found really tough. But that will give me confidence that I can do that type of mileage.
"What I don’t know is the consistency of doing it repetitively day after day.
"If I can finish each leg within 12 hours, that will give me the opportunity to go for a cold water dip somewhere to help the legs recover, get some food and get some sleep. Then we’ll go again the following morning.
"The target is to get £50,000 and I’m hoping during the course of the next 10 days once the event kicks off that people in the Highlands will see what we’re trying to do and hopefully beat the target."
Support along the way
Similar to previous years, Steven will have people running alongside him on different days of his challenge.
Work colleagues, those from Brora Rangers and Elgin City's physio will be joining him this time around.
He also outlined how his support driver, Donald Grant, will be driving behind Steven for the duration of the 10-day challenge.
Steven said: "That’s a challenge in itself for him to drive behind us at one or two miles per hour for 12 hours a day.
"He definitely deserves recognition, because the support he gives us is incredible."