A Perthshire father and son are take on the London Marathon in the hopes of raising as much money as possible so that Alzheimer’s Research UK may one day find a cure for the awful condition.
And Jamie and Hamish Landale, from the Strathearn area, will also be using the experience to remember all those affected by dementia.
During lockdown Jamie, whose last marathon was undertaken 23 years ago, made the announcement that he felt he had another long distance event in him.
He explained: “In a rash lockdown family dinner moment, possibly infused by a glass of ‘vin rouge’ too many, I announced that I could do another marathon.
“Hamish, our 18 year-old son, said ‘do it then and I will do it with you’, and my pride would not let me pull out and nor would Hamish!
“The result is that on April 23 this year we will be lining up to run the London Marathon together.”
The father and son team have chosen a research charity for a condition that their family, along with many others, has personal experience of.
Jamie continued: “We are doing this for the amazing charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, which will hopefully soon find a cure for this horrendous disease.
“We are running in honour of my father – Hamish’s grandfather – who sadly died from dementia, and Tessa, my mother-in-law – Hamish’s granny – who has battled with it for many years.
“Granny is currently struggling with the horrors of it.”
And the Landales will also be ensuring that others affected by the condition will be in their thoughts during their run.
They have set up a giving page and anyone donating £50 or more can have the name of a loved one affected by dementia inscribed on their marathon day shirts.
Jamie added: “Many of us have loved ones affected by dementia and we would love to run in memory of them so if you donate £50 or more at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/landales-london-lunacy and email jamie@thecriefffoodco.co.uk, giving the name of who you wish us to run for, we will have their name printed on our marathon day shirts.
“We have 26 spaces to fill, one for each marathon mile.
“David Landale and Tessa Downshire will be miles 25 and 26. We would love to fill the other 24 and run for others’ loved ones too.
“Our training began last November and for someone who has been on very few runs in 23 years, the runway to marathon day is going to plan-ish.
“We are training hard, which comes a great deal easier for one of us.
“Whilst I am battling with snow and ice, Hamish is training in the heat of the Aussie summer with kangaroos for company as part of his gap year adventures.
“He returns the week before the marathon.”
Jamie and Hamish have been keeping up with each other’s progress via run tracking software Strava.
Jamie is currently on his way to visit his son Down Under and is looking forward to being able to train with Hamish in person.
