Community / Runner conquers ‘seven in seven’ MND fundraiser
Jeff Dobson has raised more than £18,000 for charities after half-marathon quest
A RUNNER who has raised more than £18,000 after completing seven half-marathons in seven days says he has been left overwhelmed by the reaction.
An elated Jeff Dobson crossed the finish line on Saturday flanked by his family and friends after a gruelling week battling wind, rain and injuries.
He completed his marathon challenge at the home of his mam and dad – with the fundraiser dedicated to father, Tony.
Jeff was inspired to take on the ‘seven in seven’ after Tony was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a degenerative condition without any cure.
The money will be split between MND Scotland, MND Association, Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Prostate Cancer UK.
After starting his challenge in Glasgow at the Great Scottish Run a week past Sunday, Jeff then had to fly home and complete another half-marathon the following afternoon.
He then faced the worst of Shetland’s headwinds – and a recurring knee injury – during the week as he racked up the miles for charity.
But Jeff said that Saturday’s final run, culminating at his mam and dad’s house in Weisdale surrounded by friends and family, had made it all worthwhile.
“It was a very special way to end a very challenging week,” he said.
“I don’t think I could have had it any better to finish up.
“It was a perfect way to round off the week.”
Jeff admitted he “didn’t make things easy for myself” by scheduling the first run in Glasgow, meaning he had to complete another half-marathon in late afternoon after his flight home.
“Thankfully there were no travel issues,” he said.
“That first one, the hard bit about it was just trying not to go too hard because I had to keep going over the next six days.”
Tuesday saw Jeff head to Whalsay, with the West Mainland the chosen route on Wednesday.
He was set to run through Unst and Yell on Thursday, but fully booked ferries meant he had to stick solely to Yell.
Strong gusts throughout the middle of the week made Jeff’s task no easier.
“I was going north towards Bixter on Wednesday into a head wind which was fairly strong,” he said.
“Thursday I took time out to stop and change my shoes because my socks were soaking with the rain.
“But I knew I was running in Shetland in October, so I wasn’t expecting the best running conditions.”
As well as the weather, a niggling injury in Jeff’s knee also threatened to derail his challenge.
“I’m not really sure what happened but my knee started to pull up in Whalsay, but it was nothing too serious.
“The next day I could tell it wasn’t 100 per cent, and by Thursday it was sharp shooting pains.
“At the start of the challenge I saw that the seven half-marathons were going to be about 92 miles so I was aiming to round that up to 100.
“But at that stage I was thinking that’s going to be a step too far. I was anticipating having to walk some of it.”
But despite the hurdles in his path Jeff said the incredible amount of money raised, and his reason for raising the money, meant he never considered throwing in the towel.
“There were never any points where I wasn’t focused on doing it, or that I didn’t want to do it,” he said.
“There was too much being raised and too many reasons to do it.”
Jeff set off early to do a run in Brae on the Friday, fully anticipating he would have to cut it short.
However, he said his knee recovered enough for him to push on through and bump up his milage closer to the 100 mark before his final flourish on Saturday helped him cross that milestone.
Jeff set an initial fundraising target of £2,500 – but smashed that goal five whole months before he had even laced up his running shoes.
He has now raised £18,500, with the fundraiser still running and with more money still to be counted.
“It’s unbelievable that amount that’s been raised,” he said.
“It’s far exceeded anything I would have imagined.
“It’s hard to put into words. It makes all the training miles and the seven days 100 per cent worth it.
“Thanks to all of my family and friends for their support, and thanks to everybody that has donated.”
Donations can still be made on Jeff’s Give as You Live page.
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