A ‘complete novice’ runner will be pushing himself out of his comfort zone by completing a marathon on his 70th birthday.
Andrew McGill was born on April 26, 1956, and so coincidentally this year’s London Marathon will fall as he turns 70 years old.
Wanting to do something special, he decided he wanted to raise money for The Alzheimers Society and take part in London Marathon MyWay, meaning he can complete the 26.2 miles challenge in whichever way he chooses and wherever he wants.
Andrew McGill of Collingham who is going to walk/run 26.2 miles in support of Alzheimer’s Society. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
Being a birthday challenge, Andrew will begin his journey at 6am at Lincoln Hospital, where he was born in 1956, before making his way to his home in Collingham to celebrate with friends and family.
With a mix of walking and running, he will pass locations which have been important in his life, including his old schools, his mum’s old house, and the graves of family members in Lincoln.
Leaving the city, the route will then take him out into the Lincolnshire countryside, via Skellingthorpe, along nature trails and across Fledborough Viaduct to South Clifton, before making his way south into Nottinghamshire through Girton and Besthorpe, and eventually finishing the challenge with a circuit around Collingham.
Andrew McGill of Collingham who is going to walk/run 26.2 miles in support of Alzheimer’s Society. Photo: David Dawson/Iliffe Media
“This time last year I don’t think I could have walked ten miles, let alone 26.2,” he said. “This is completely out of my comfort zone.
“My daughter in law got in to do the London Marathon with Bliss, a charity supporting premature babies.
“We all went down to London, had a great time, and seeing all these people doing it really inspired me.”
Andrew applied through the ballot system but was unsuccessful and with charity places limited — only around 600 entries for over 6,000 applicants — Andrew decided he would do the challenge from home and support The Alzheimers Society in the process.
The cause is one close to his heart as both Andrew’s Grandma and mum lived with Alzheimer’s.
Andrew McGill has been training for his London Marathon MyWay challenge, in support of the Alzheimer’s Society, by taking part in Newark Parkruns. Photo: Submitted.
Over the past few month he has committed himself to getting fit, completing a Couch to 5k programme, and hopes to inspire other older people to get active.
“I was a complete novice,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve run in my adult life — the last time I was 16-years-old.
“I signed up to Couch to 5k, and the first few weeks went alright, but you do very quickly realise how fundamentally unfit you are.
“It’s bloody hard work, but I kept going. I persevered to the very end, as painful as it was, and I got through it.
“I’m no athlete, but I’m showing pretty good improvement.”
Andrew McGill has been training for his London Marathon MyWay challenge, in support of the Alzheimer’s Society, by taking part in Newark Parkruns. Photo: Submitted.
Andrew McGill will be taking on the London Marathon MyWay challenge, in support of the Alzheimer’s Society, on his 70th birthday. Photo: Submitted.
As well as practice walks and runs around the village and parts of the route he will take on the day, Andrew has also been taking part in the Newark Parkrun every weekend.
He has also had a lot of support from people around the village, with a little pestering, and is now recognised as “the marathon man” while out and about.
In fact, the support has been so strong that he has had to increase his fundraising target three times, surpassing £650 initially, then £900, and finally breezing by £1,250 — the total now sits at over £1,600 and counting.
Anyone who wishes to donate can do so via his fundraising page: 2026tcslondonmarathonmyway.enthuse.com/pf/andrew-mcgill
Andrew McGill has brewed a beer ‘Old Dribbler’ with Collingham-based The Cat Asylum, to be sold in support of his Alzheimer’s Society fundraiser. Photo: Submitted.
Andrew McGill has brewed a beer ‘Old Dribbler’ with Collingham-based The Cat Asylum, to be sold in support of his Alzheimer’s Society fundraiser. Photo: Submitted.
He has also been finding quirky ways to raise additional funds, including brewing his very own beer with the help of Collingham-based micro-brewery The Cat Asylum.
Pints of the beer, dubbed ‘Old Dribbler’, will be sold in pubs around the village with £1 from each sale going directly to the fundraiser, or a “£1 fine for drinking anything else” Andrew Joked.
Local taxi firm, Collingham Cars, have also volunteered to drop Andrew off at his starting point, and while ferry various friends and familiy members to points along the route to walk alongside him.
Thanking everyone who had chipped in to support him, Andrew said: “It feels great.
“All these people who have really motivated me. I’ve got to keep going because of them.”