Edinburgh Marathon in Memory of Nick Porter

Not content with running one marathon in honour of his late Uncle Nick, Ciaran Hemming returned for a second! This time, swapping the stunning scenery of Loch Ness for the city streets of Edinburgh. He also swapped the autumn chill for one of the hottest days of the year. Temperatures across parts of the UK climbed to 34 degrees, and although cooler in Scotland, the temperature was certainly a challenge.

Around 9,900 competitors took on the full 26.2-mile course, heading out of the city through the streets of Musselburgh, Prestonpans, and Cockenzie and Port Seton, before turning at Gosford Estate and making their way back to the finish line at Pinkie Playing Fields.

The heat was relentless. At points, local residents set up hosepipes to drench passing runners in very welcome cold water. The scale of the challenge was reflected in the fact that the ambulance service responded to 59 people suffering from heat-related issues during the event, with 16 taken to the hospital. Notably, it wasn't only runners who were affected; spectators, too, fell victim to the conditions.

Those who crossed the finish line should feel immensely proud, especially given that their training was likely through the winter/spring!

Though he wasn't formally fundraising, Ciaran has raised a brilliant £300. We take our hats off to him, once for his determination to run again in Nick's memory, and again for doing so in such gruelling heat.

Everyone who knew Nick is certain he would have been incredibly proud. And so are we.

Thank you, Ciaran!