How a brain haemorrhage inspired Ciaran's fundraising marathon

At the age of 60, Ciaran Doran is putting on his running shoes and taking part in this year’s Edinburgh marathon to raise money for Age Scotland.

Although Age Scotland fundraiser Ciaran Doran has never run a marathon before, he is no stranger to physical challenges. He completed the Tour de France route for his 50^th birthday (days before the professional cyclists set off) and cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats an incredible ten times.

 “My niece, Ciara, works for Age Scotland and we’re very close to her,” he said. “So when I was thinking about what I wanted to go, something that would take me out of my comfort zone, I asked her if there were fundraising opportunities for the Edinburgh marathon and the team very quickly acted on it. I’ve not really been a runner before.”

From his experiences supporting older family and neighbours, Ciaran, who runs a tech company for streaming live sports,  says he finds it sad that how socially isolated older people’s lives can become.

“We have to do more to bring back community so that older people have that sense of connection." he said.

Tackling loneliness is a key part of Age Scotland’s work. The money Ciaran will raise by running 26.2 miles will help Age Scotland run its friendship services, which include weekly calls to older people who are experiencing loneliness.

The training is going well so far. Ciaran, who was born in Northern Ireland and now lives in Guildford, Surrey,  says he enjoys a challenge and knows how to pace himself from his previous challenges. “I am following a clear training plan. One that I made up myself,” he says.  

Since his Tour de France route cycle for his 50^th, Ciaran says he let himself get ‘complacent and a bit overweight’ and decided a marathon for his 60^th would get him back on track.

He turned 60 last September but says he celebrates two birthdays – the second being the day he woke up after suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2017.

“I survived because I was near an emergency department and because of the quick thinking of my wife. I woke up, days later, on November 9, and now that’s my second birthday,” he said.

His ambition is to complete the marathon in under four hours. “I believe in setting a big goal but if I miss it by a bit, I am fine with that. I will finish it. That is the main goal,” he said. “I’m hoping for a sunny day so I can sing Sunshine on Leith by The Proclaimers. But it’s been suggested it’ll feel more like 500 Miles on the day.”