Hibs’ star Scott Robertson joined Fit Fans, Glenn Milne and Scott Thomson at the Club’s Training Centre as they prepare for this Saturday’s incredible Hibernian Hat Trick Marathon.
Over 30 graduates of the Community Foundation’s Fit Fans and Healthy Hibee programmes have signed up to collectively complete at least 78 miles in order to raise funds for charity, starting at 7am, at Easter Road Stadium.
With each marathon requiring 104 laps around the pitch, the target is to complete a total of 312 laps. Last year the participants were so inspired by the surroundings that many went much further than they had thought possible, and this year is likely to be even better.
Every runner has completed Hibernian Community Foundation programmes aimed at supporting fans to lose weight, get fit and improve their health.
Alongside the SPFL ‘Football Fans in Training’, the Foundation runs Healthy Hibee courses for both men and women that feature health promotion information and　 Fit for Change　 to provide on-going support for fans to achieve success through team work, camaraderie and good fun.
Saturday’s event kicks off at 7am to ensure that all the runners are finished well ahead of kick off time at 3pm when Hibernian take on Partick Thistle.
Lifelong Hibee and Fit fan Glenn Milne intends to complete his first full marathon at the age of 54 by running the 104 laps at Easter Road.　 This comes after losing an incredible seven stones directly as a result of attending the courses.
Other fans will do assorted distances between one and 13 miles.
Scott Robertson said: “This marathon requires a massive effort from everybody involved. Running all those laps around the pitch will be a phenomenal achievement, and I’m pleased to support all the runners.　 Hopefully the fans will support them too so they will raise a lot of money from it.”
Foundation Chairman Iain Gray MSP gave the event his full backing.
The MSP for East Lothian said: “I have met many of the participants in the Fit Fans and Healthy Hibee programmes and heard from them what a difference the programme has made to their lives.　 Now they will be demonstrating that big time in the marathon event.　 Guys like Glenn should be an inspiration to more fans to take up the Healthy Hibee challenge.”
Stewart McGuire, Operations Manager for the Hibernian Community Foundation said: “Last season’s successful event helped us see how far our guys had come. They started FFiT by walking and keeping a step count, and had become fit enough to run around the pitch.
“This year’s runners include graduates from Football Fans in Training and men and women Healthy Hibees. Each person commits to run a set distance but they can get caught up in the buzz and challenge themselves to run a bit further. It’s a great team event with support from the Club, community, friends and family. All the money raised from the marathon will be used to keep health, fitness and wellbeing programmes going into the coming 2014/15 season. ”
General donations for the Hibernian Hat Trick Marathon can be made through Just Giving at http://www.justgiving.com/Kris-Von-Wald or by text from any provider to 70070 using the code ‘HITC78’ and the amount.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
