For most people, running just one half-marathon or 10K a year would be enough.
But a north-east man is taking on 10 in 12 months to raise money for a cause close to his heart – and to remember a very special woman in his life.
Matthew Christie’s mother, Claire, died, aged just 47, in 2004 after a short fight with cancer.
June 24 will mark the 10th anniversary of her death and Mr Christie has decided to sign up for 10 challenges in 2014 to raise money for the Maggie’s Centre in Aberdeen in her name.
He wants to raise at least £2,400 – the amount it takes to keep the cancer centre at Foresterhill open for a whole day – by completing a series of half marathons and 10Ks across Scotland and even a Tough Mudder.
The 34-year-old, from Aberdeen, said that although his mother was never able to visit the facility – which opened last September following a £3million fundraising campaign spearheaded by the Press and Journal – he knows she would have loved it.
“It would have been my mum’s 58th birthday on October 8, and I believe the best way to mark it is by sponsoring the day at Maggie’s in her name,” he said.
“The centre only opened in 2013 so it was not something that mum or any of our family was able to benefit from.
“But having visited the centre and met some of the staff, I am sure it is a place she would have approved of and supported.”
Mr Christie, who works as a proposals engineer for independent energy consultancy ADIL, has been pounding the streets of Aberdeen in preparation for each run to ensure he is at his physical peak.
He has already completed two 10Ks and will take on the Baker Hughes 10K in Aberdeen on Sunday.
ADIL is covering the cost of entry for all 10 races and providing him with a running kit.
“ADIL has been good enough to support my fundraising in a variety of ways. Entry to these events doesn’t come cheap and it means I can give every penny I raise to Maggie’s,” Mr Christie said.
James Paton, managing director, said the company was glad to get behind Mr Christie after they heard his reasons for taking part.
“We always strive to do what we can to support any member of our staff who takes on an incredible challenge,” he said.
“Matthew’s is particularly poignant though, and as a company we are extremely proud of the lengths he is going to raise money for such a worthy cause.”