Coatbridge runner raises cash for St Andrew's Hospice

Jul 9 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A marathon effort in memory of grandparents

A COATBRIDGE man raised hundreds of pounds for a local hospice by running a marathon in memory of his late grandparents.

Paul Oliver, of the town’s Albion Street, decided to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon in a bid to raise cash for Airdrie’s St Andrew’s Hospice.

The 23-year-old trained six days a week for several months, a gruelling programme which included a 12 to 24-mile slog every Sunday – following a Saturday night out on the town!

But the hard work paid off for Paul on the big day when he completed the challenging route in a time of 3 hours 20 minutes 2 seconds.

It earned him 562nd place which was a great achievement given that 13,000 runners entered the race.

“I was chuffed with the amount of money I raised,” Paul told the Advertiser. “I did a marathon two years ago and I thought the time was right to do another one.

“I trained six days a week and then ran between 12 and 24 miles in one go on a Sunday and that was after being out on a Saturday night.

“I don’t really drink unless it is a special occasion so my body was able to cope with all of the training.”

He added: “My gran and grandad, Ellen and Robert Oliver, both died at the hospice a few years ago.

“The staff there took good care of them and the place is close to my heart. I thought it would be good to raise some money for them.”

Now Paul is gearing towards competing in the Great Scottish Run half-marathon in Glasgow at the start of September in aid of St Andrew’s.

And just a month later he will find out if his application to run in next year’s London Marathon has been accepted.