Running News Daily

Arlene Osman will take part at the Great Scottish Run half marathon to raise money for diabetes charity

Arlene Osman with Type One diabetes will take part in a half marathon to mark 20 years since being diagnosed with the condition.

Arlene Osman, 49, will compete at the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow on Sunday, September 29 to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Arlene was diagnosed with the condition in 1999.

Arlene, who moved to south Wales from Scotland in 1990 to train as a pharmacist, said, “As a pharmacist, I had an idea of what was wrong but I was still shocked to be diagnosed with Type One. I didn’t feel unwell, but on reflection I realised I’d had symptoms for a number of weeks.

“I have always been looked after by the diabetes team at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and cannot praise their care enough. They have always encouraged me to try new technology that could help me manage my condition. I am currently using an insulin pump and a Freestyle Libre, which have made a huge difference.”

She added: “I wanted to do a half marathon to mark my 50th birthday this year. When I saw the Great Scottish Run start in George Square, I knew it was the one. I studied at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and spent a lot of time in George Square, so it will be very emotional on the day.”

Arlene took up running in 2017 and is a member of Parc Bryn Running Club, running three times a week.

She said: “Running is a challenge with Type One diabetes, but as long as you are prepared and organised the health benefits can be immense.”

Joseph Cuff, fundraising manager at Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “We’re so grateful to Arlene for taking on this challenge for us to mark two significant milestones in her life.

“It’s inspiring to hear how much of a benefit taking up running has had and we hope it shows others with Type One diabetes that the condition should not stop you from enjoying exercise. We hope she has a fantastic race this September.”

Alasdair Mcilroy will be taking part in his first half marathon dedicating every step to his best friend who died from cancer last year

Alasdair Mcilroy is taking on the Scottish Half Marathon in Edinburgh next month in aid of Cancer Research UK and in memory of pal Des Devine who died aged just 54 last October.

The pair were firm friends for decades sharing a love for sports including golf, rugby, rallying, cricket and football.

They were both members of Hawick Opera Company and when Des married his wife Sasha at Heiton’s Roxburghe Hotel in 2008, Alasdair was best man.

“Des had an immeasurable impact on so many lives including my own and I was honored to be his best man on his wedding day,” Alasdair, 47, said.

“His zest for life was all too obvious with every single thing he did. He loved sport and socializing.

“He took challenges on with positivity and as long as people continue to remember him, speak of him and love him then Des will never truly be gone. His battle with cancer was faced up to with great dignity.

“Through his fight, he was still more interested in everyone else’s life and plans.

“The finish line of the Scottish half marathon will be an emotional moment of personal reflection and I’ll dedicate my efforts to Des.”

Des, who moved from the Borders to Inverness in 2004, was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer in October 2013, five weeks before his 50th birthday. After two major operations and chemotherapy he was well enough to return to his love for sport, traveling, music and drama by summer 2014.

A talented musician, he was a singer with the Rooty Ma Toot Big Band and also a keen member of the Inverness Musical Theater company and the Florians drama club.

But last year cancer spread to his bones and he died at the Highland Hospice, Inverness with his wife Sasha by his side.

Michelle Brownlie is set for half marathon after battling advanced bowel cancer

A dedicated Kilmarnock woman is putting on her running shoes after battling advanced bowel cancer for two years.

Michelle Brownlie had been a runner for most of her life but after receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis in 2016 the 45-year-old became unable to do the thing she loves most.

“It was like a part of me was missing,” she told the Standard.

“I had been running for about 10 years and in fact one of the reasons I didn’t notice symptoms like weight loss was because I thought that losing weight was just part and parcel of life as a runner.

“During the treatment I wanted to run but my body just wasn’t able.”

Michelle battled through a gruelling six months of treatment including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery to remove part of her bowel, a further operation after part of her bowel twisted and an ileostomy.

In July 2017 she received the all-clear but a scan in January 2018 found that cancer had spread to both her lungs.

She said: “I felt healthy, I was getting back to a really good fitness level and when I found out it had spread to both my lungs it was such a shock - but I always try to stay positive.”

She added: “When I was given the all-clear the first thing I did was get back into training. When I was told that the cancer had spread the training ground to a halt once more as I underwent surgery to remove the tumours. .”

By October Michelle was again recovering and returning to her running shoes. She is now on track to complete the Scottish Half Marathon, running for Bowel Cancer UK.

She said: “There needs to be more awareness of the fact that bowel cancer can affect younger people too.

“Being able to go online and see others who had shared their story with the charity made such a difference.”