Bob Hayward & Nick Baldock have now run 28 consecutive marathons out of the 34 it will take to get to John O’Groats from Land’s End and in doing so have covered over 700 miles. This is all in aid of Podge the 13 year old boy who was so badly burnt in an attack last May.

Inverness. It has been on the road signs forever, taunting them from afar. Well, today was the day they laid that milestone to rest. Bob admitted to feeling some trepidation this morning as they crawled out of their pits. He could hardly walk last night from the pain in his right shin. Would Stuart’s remedy of strapping up the calf from the ankle to the knee like a maypole actually work?

Bob’s first attempt at strapping the calf cut of the circulation to the foot after 100 yards or so – a little too tight then! but the second attempt appeared fine. Nervously Bob jogged along with Nick keeping close for moral support. After 10 miles he was in no more discomfort than when he’d started out this morning unlike the previous few days where the pain grew throughout the day. Part way through the second section after breakfast the pain returned so Bob took some Nurofen which dampened down the pain to its previous level. Would the strapping hold out for the full 26 miles? At their next break Nick suggested putting some “pain relief spray” on to the afflicted area. This combination saw Bob running throughout the day including the last yards to the waiting motor home. Stuart, thanks for the advice, you are amazing!

Nick and Bob were close to tears for other reasons today. The weather being one. It was so sunny all day with just a few lumps of light mash potato floating in glorious deep blue sky. As Nick kept saying all day long “Oh, isn’t it wonderful to have the sun on the back of your legs!” and he is right, certainly a lot better than the rain and gale force winds in the last few days.

Another thing that touched their hearts today was the scenery. How can things change so much from day to day? The mountains behind them looked like waves rolling onto a beach as they rose ever higher to Schlod Summit. Later on in today’s run they came down below the tree line and returned to farming land. The views around Tomatin were stunning, rivers, lochs, ploughed fields, little hamlets nestling against protective hills and pine trees.

The third thing that struck them today – peoples’ generosity. Brian Aspinall of Oscar Pet Foods, a company Nick has worked with, invited them to park their motor home in his drive. He allowed them to use his shower, did their washing and cooked them a great lasagne. Nothing was too much trouble, beer, wine & tea flowed. Thanks Brian & Katheryn!