Agriculture student to undertake Edinburgh marathon in wellies

© Gillies Boyd

Agriculture student Gillies Boyd, from Argyll in the west of Scotland, is raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support by undertaking the Edinburgh marathon at the end of May, with one unique selling point… he will be running the full 26 miles wearing a pair of wellies.

In his second year of studying at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), 20-year-old Gillies says that juggling marathon training and studying for his upcoming exams has been a challenge.

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“It’s my first marathon,” he says. “I’m not going for speed, I’m just wanting to cross the line in a reasonable time at least.”

Asked about the decision to run in wellies, Gillies said: “I’m doing the whole thing in wellies because I’m from a farming background, and it’s for a good cause.

“I’ve been doing a lot of my training in normal trainers, but thought I might as well do it in wellies,” he explained.

Gillies has done a few practice runs of around three miles, but says he doesn’t want to overdo it before the main event as he foresees the heavier footwear being hard on his feet.

“I’m quite excited about the marathon, and I’m hoping to do some more welly running,” he added.

“There’s also a Glasgow half-marathon in September and I’m hoping to sign up to that. I might make it a yearly thing – it keeps me fit as well.”

To make a donation to the fundraiser, visit his Justgiving web page