A runner from Lossiemouth has completed an almost superhuman challenge to run 100 miles in a day to help a friend diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Frankie Ralph set off on his supreme trial of endurance well before dawn yesterday. A total of 17 hours later and he had somehow managed to complete 33 laps of his hometown, capturing the imaginations of scores of folk who came out despite the foul weather to either cheer or run part of the way beside him.
Frankie (centre) raises a fist during his 100-mile run around Lossiemouth. All photos: Daniel Forsyth.
Frankie’s heroic efforts have already succeeded in raising nearly £27,000, with more money still to come, including at least another £2000 put into collection buckets during the day.
That cash will now go towards the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre.
The motivation for the run came from Frankie’s pal Mikey Dunbar, also from Lossiemouth, who was in March diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of just 33.
Speaking today a very tired and sore Frankie said: “It was great to see Mikey and his family at the finishing line.
“I want to thank everyone who supported me and everyone who has donated. Their generosity has been incredible.”
Frankie during his epic challenge to help Alzheimer Scotland and his pal Mikey Dunbar.
He added: “At one stage there were about 30 people running alongside me. There were my pals there but also people I’d never met before.
“A lot of folk ran further yesterday than they ever have before. One friend who only took up running last month did the equivalent of a marathon, which is amazing. Another runner did more than 40 miles.
“I’d taken a pair of headphones with me, but they stayed in my pocket because at least one other person was with me every step of the way.”
Frankie, who works as a chef in Aberdeen, set off in freezing Baltic conditions at 4am yesterday.
The 29-year-old says the first half of the challenge was the hardest but then the pain “sort of plateaued”. Along the way he took on energy gels, pieces of cake plus salted baked potatoes in order to keep going.
Frankie (centre) is joined by friends as he runs up Pitgaveny Street, alongside the harbour.
Finally, at 9pm, he reached the 100-mile mark, but then, amazingly, ran a further mile to the Firth Hotel on Clifton Road, where over a hundred people had gathered to applaud him back.
Frankie said: “It was wonderful to see everyone there – and it was equally wonderful to be able to stop running.
“Somebody offered me a pint, but I just couldn’t accept it. My body felt annihilated.
“I went back to my parent’s home and had a bath, then had a really bad sleep because my legs were twitching like they were still running.
“I really never expected to raise so much money so thank-you to everyone.”
Show your support for Frankie and Alzheimer Scotland HERE
Running along Coulardbank Road.Making their way along Clifton Road.Running up Kimberley Street.