Kilwinning man runs round Arran for cause close to his heart

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Kilwinning man ran more than a double marathon for a cause close to his heart.Graeme Johnson ran round the whole of Arran - an astonishing 56 miles with more than 1000 metres in elevation gain.The Youth Work Project Manager raised over £3000 for Arran Youth Foundation (AYF) and has been blown away by donors' generosity.Remarkably, it's the second year Graeme has completed the feat after raising £5000 last year.This year Graeme started his challenge on Friday, May 24 before 4am and it took him around 11 and a half hours to complete the mammoth challenge.

Having driven round the island the night before stashing food and drink every 10km or so, he took regular short breaks to refuel.

He also enjoyed the company of supporters along the way - parent Emma Jessop ran with him for around an hour, former AYF attendee Abbie McKelvie kept him company on her bicycle for several hours, and Sue Blades ran some of the west side of the island too.

Many kids and young adults came out along the route to cheer him as he passed, with some of AYF's current kids running him back through Lamlash to finish at the youth centre.After completing the ultramarathon fundraiser, Graeme said: "I was delighted to complete this again for a cause very close to my heart."Knowing from experience how difficult it was made it a mental challenge as much as anything, but I knew from last year what a great motivation the fundraiser was."Watching it climb and climb with so many incredibly generous donations got me round the island on the day.