The finishing line is in sight for University of Aberdeen politics lecturer Malcolm Harvey who will this weekend complete a gruelling 30-day challenge which has seen him run 10k every day in June for charity.
Malcolm set himself the challenge to raise £1,000 for his team’s participation in the upcoming Cancer Research Relay for Life in Peterhead, a 24-hour event that takes place on July 6.
The 300km challenge - equivalent to running from his office at the Edward Wright Building to Perth and back - was largely undertaken in and around Old Aberdeen.
On Sunday (June 30), he will set off on his final 10k starting at King’s College, around Seaton Park, along the beach and back down King Street.
Throughout the 30 days, Malcolm has been supported on his daily runs by colleagues from the University and has extended the invitation this Sunday to anyone who wants to join him.
He said: “It’s been a tough month of running, but my body has held up surprisingly well. It’s only into the final week I’ve started to get some more persistent aches and pains. The hardest bit has been trying to consume enough food to give me enough energy to run every day!
“When I planned this, I really thought June would be a bit warmer and drier – but when you decide to do an outdoor event in Scotland, you have to be prepared for anything.
“I’m very much looking forward to crossing the finish line on Sunday – fittingly, at the entrance to the University of Aberdeen on King Street. I’d be delighted for anyone who wants to come down at 1pm to come and join me for a very gentle 10K around Seaton Park and along the beach.”
Malcolm’s involvement in the Relay for Life stems from his wife’s work as a fundraising manager for Cancer Research UK (CRUK), through which she works closely with the Peterhead Relay committee. Between the Relay for Life and other events, the committee raises between £150,000 to £200,000 for CRUK each year.
Over the past couple of years Malcolm’s dad has been successfully treated for cancer twice, further emphasising to him the importance of funding for research.