Footballer set to go on run through Ross-shire for kids; Invergordon-raised Brora Rangers boss Steven Mackay doesn't let cancellation of Loch Ness 360 deter his ultra-run bid
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FOR a man who doesn’t much like running, Steven Mackay hasn’t half been clocking up the miles.
The Invergordon-raised former Ross County footballer has pounded out more than 1000 in preparation for a gruelling 80-mile ultra-marathon challenge for charity.
Leaving Inverness on June 26, Mackay (38) will try to reach Brora Rangers’ Dudgeon Park within 24 hours, via Bonar Bridge.
The Brora player-manager hit upon the idea of a solo run for MFR’s Cash for Kids appeal after May’s Loch Ness 360 race was cancelled amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
“It was frustrating as I was 26 weeks into 37 weeks’ preparation. I didn’t want it to go to waste,” Mackay said. “Even now, I have no idea if I can do it, but I’ll give it a good shot.”
After 127 games for County, Mackay became renowned for fitness and goalscoring prowess in the Highland League, netting a phenomenal 55 in the 2014/15 title triumph. Through his day job with a specialist fabricators, he delved into business psychology and those books inspired personal readings on sporting endurance.
“It got me thinking about pushing boundaries and how the mind can be the biggest factor holding you back,” he said.
“One book called Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins, an ex-Navy SEAL, really caught my imagination. He embarks on ridiculously crazy exploits and constantly puts his body and mind to the test. I don’t even enjoy running much away from
football, but that got me thinking about what my own limits were.”
A big psychological step was topping marathon distance and he has twice run a “challenging and painful” 40 miles, but never more.
A quarter of the £10,000 target has been raised at www.cashforkids
give.co.uk/campaign/mfr-charity-
champions-2020/fundraisers/steven-mackay/
Brora coaches Craig Campbell and David Hind will provide support.
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