It's a vin-vin marathon for Ross runners
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FIVE intrepid men from Ross-shire are to line up with 10,000 other runners to compete in the world’s longest, booziest race.
The quintet have been training hard to take part in the famous Le Marathon du Medoc in France.
But the Gallic challenge is a marathon with a difference: the event will see them running 26.2 miles while drinking at 23 wine stops along the way.
Running in their kilts and Ross County tops, Steven Higgs (34), Gavin Vincent (34), Michael Munro (35), Michael Greig (34) and Michael MacLennan (35) will cut a distinctive sight in the race.
Steven, Gavin and Michael Greig all hail from Dingwall, while Michael Munro is from Alness and Michael MacLennan from Conon Bridge.
It’s all taken a bit of long-distance planning as they now live in different parts of the country – Dingwall, Nairn, Edinburgh and London.
For the past few months the Teuchters Chugging for CHAS as they have styled themselves, have been practising their running – as well as their drinking – for the event which takes place near Bordeaux on Saturday, September 12.
As well as the wine, there are other delicacies on the route including oysters and ice cream, with bands playing and parties in full flow at some of the stops.
But while fun and fitness will be the order of the day, there is a serious side to the race for the group. They will be running for CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) in memory of their friends’ baby daughter, Alice Morrison, who was cared for in the hospice before she passed away.
Michael Munro said: "I am really looking forward to this event in what should be a carnival-like atmosphere. Adding wine into the equation certainly makes this an intriguing challenge.
"Although there should be a lot of entertainment to be had, we are running this to raise funds for a significantly underfunded charity, CHAS. This is a charity very close to our hearts which offered excellent support to our close friends prior to their daughter prematurely passing away.
"They do incredible work to support families during traumatic times. I would also like to say a personal thank you to all at Ross County football club for the generous donation towards the race."
Michael MacLennan, a former North Star reporter who now works as a digital editor in London, said: "It’s one of the best atmospheres you could hope for from a marathon. The theme this year is Dressed to the Nines, so we’ll have the number on our shirts as well as Alice’s name.
"But it will be extremely tough at the same time! The temperature can be more than 30 degrees – that heat combined with the wine means that we’ll be pretty unsteady on our feet by the end, if we’re not crawling."
Baby Alice died in December, aged just a few days old. Her dad Alan is from Ross-shire, although he and his wife now live in Edinburgh.
Steven added: "Alice’s family and ourselves don’t want this to be too downbeat, so we’ve tried to pick an enjoyable race.
"But I’m most looking forward to the satisfaction of finally feeling like I’ve really helped. We are keen to raise as much money for CHAS as we can."
You can contribute to the Teuchters Chugging for CHAS’s fundraising efforts at: https://www.givey.com/c/ddab8ae6
