A brave marathon man from Fort William hopes there will be a rainbow at the end of his next event.
Running helped Michael McGuire from Caol cope after his first child was stillborn at 32 weeks and his wife, Rachel, was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was just 26.
The 34-year-old decided to take up running marathons in memory of his son Kyle and, as a result, has already raised more than £7,000 for different charities.
He will be putting his best foot forward again in September running in the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon when Rachel – who is in remission after undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy – and the couple’s seven-year-old daughter Amelie, will be there to cheer him on.
Mr McGuire said: “When our only son was stillborn at 32 weeks, it was possibly the worst thing you could endure as a parent. I started marathon running to honour Kyle and ensure he didn’t die in vain.
“Rainbows have become massively symbolic to us, and Kyle will always be known as our rainbow. When we lost him, we travelled home to Fort William from Glasgow and rainbows paved our way. Ever since they have followed us in many guises – including at the start and finish line of last year’s Loch Ness Marathon.”
The 2017 event will be his fourth and he enjoys the friendly spirit and camaraderie of the event. He struck up a friendship with fellow first-time runner Iain Lonnan from Inverness in 2014 and they have taken part together ever since.
“This marathon holds a special place in my heart. I made a promise to honour Kyle’s memory so he would never be forgotten,” said Mr McGuire.
“My wife Rachel has been brave beyond words. It was a hammer-blow when she was diagnosed with cancer and I felt totally helpless, but she has the courage of a lion and she has pulled through.
“Running got me out of a hole and has helped to provide light at the end of the tunnel.”
He has raised vital funds for charities including the stillbirth and neonatal birth charity Sands UK and Clic Sergent, which supports young patients to ensure they thrive not just survive.
He is also a volunteer with Simba, Simpsons Memory Box Appeal, a charity that provides support to parents who lose a child, and will also be raising vital cash for this cause.
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running takes place on Sunday, September 24.