Stacey’s marathon effort
Release date: 24/01/2012
Dundee College employee Stacey McAinsh aims to go the distance in a bid to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support – the distance being 26miles, 385 yards as the school and community liaison assistant trains for this year’s London Marathon.
At a tad under 5ft3in tall and weighing in at just 7st 7 lbs, Stacey’s petite form can be seen, most evenings, pounding the paving slabs from her home in Monifieth right along Dundee’s Kingsway as she trains for the April 22 event.
Stacey, who is based at the new Gardyne Campus, is running for Macmillan Cancer Support and has pledged to raise at least £2000 for the charity.
While a keen runner, the mother-of-two has previously only taken part in one marathon, in Edinburgh 2009 when she raised just short of £1000 for her chosen charity.
“I was spurred on to take part in the Edinburgh marathon after a close relative of my husband, Gavin, died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer,” explains Stacey.
“As well as the Edinburgh event I have done three half marathons and I’m training seriously for London, particularly as Macmillan Cancer Support is such a worthwhile charity.”
Despite the dark nights and awful weather Stacey is out running most evenings – saving the weekends for her long runs!
“I’m running approximately 5 hours per week at present but this will increase as the race approaches.”
As well as having a charity cash target Stacey has set herself the challenge of completing the race in well under the four hour mark.
“I’d be really, really pleased to finish around three hour 30 to three hour 40 minutes.”
It isn’t only her training that is going well, having set up a Justgiving webpage linked to Macmillan charity, www.justgiving.com/Stacey-mcAinsh, the runner has already received £800 of donations. Anyone wishing to donate to this great cause, please logon to make a contribution.