Sunday June 11th 2023
Zoe (left) and Denise having finished their thirteenth half marathon in thirteen days.
Written by Midlothian View Editor, Phil Bowen
Two Midlothian women have just completed 13 half marathons in 13 days to raise money for a Midlothian children’s charity.
The Play Midlothian charity provides free play sessions for disabled children and their families across Midlothian, including children who are still waiting for a diagnosis. They also deliver children’s woodland play sessions aimed at reducing emerging mental health issues and play sessions for families in community settings.
Denise Mckenzie, who works for Play Midlothian knows the difference this amount of money could make to the charity:
Recently the playmobile vehicle the charity uses for transporting kit gave up the ghost and so raising this money would mean that the play team can continue to reach kids out in the community and provide high quality, inclusive play experiences for all.
Zoe Whitley is a keen runner and CrossFit JXL athlete who has given her support to raising money for the charity. Shelead on the training plans in the run up to the 13 Half Marathons and ensured they were both in peak physical condition before undertaking this grueling, once in a lifetime challenge.
The 13×13 challenge started with Zoe running the Edinburgh Full Marathon and Denise running the Half Marathon on the 28th May at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Both Zoe and Denise then ran a half marathon (13 miles or 20.9km) each day for 13 days. And so on Friday they both completed the monumental running task with famly and friends ewatching them cross the finishing line.
Having crossed the line once Denise had caught her breath she said:
“To everyone who gave a like, a share, a word of encouragement, donated, made a meal, ran with us or followed along the journey. Thank you! It was an emotional finisher with friends and family.
“Shout out to my incredibly supportive husband Mark – for picking up the slack and making it possible. What a team!
“We finished off the 13×13 with a 13 min workout at CrossFit JXL. Thanks to all that took part & special thanks to Billy for piping us in.
“Zoe Whitley you are an inspiration and we absolutely smashed it, so proud of you!”
So far the running duo have raised £3230.60 Play Midlothian.
Donations are still open and any donation you can make in support, however small is greatly appreciated and will make a real difference to the children of Midlothian.
As Denise said
“Play is so important to children’s development – we know how much this benefits children’s health and wellbeing. It is important for their lives in the here and now as well as for their future life chances.”
You can donate by clicking here.
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