A Moray fitness fan has had the date of his first Loch Ness marathon tattooed on his arm as he braces himself for the charity effort this year.
Nigel Squair ran the 26.2 mile Baxters Loch Ness Marathon for the first time in 2006.
And last month the Elgin resident paid homage to his debut performance by having the event’s logo – which depicts laces protruding from a running shoe in the shape of the legendary Loch Ness Monster – inked on his arm.
The tattoo also bares the slogan “Inverness 2006”.
The image was carefully created over several hours by Elgin tattoo artist Mike Farquhar, and Mr Squair’s wife Yvonne covered the bill as a silver wedding anniversary gift.
Mr Squair, who originally took on the challenge to mark his 40th birthday, competed in the marathon again in 2008 and 2015.
He now plans to return to the banks of the famous expanse this summer to mark the tenth anniversary of that achievement.
Mr Squair said he decided to have the unusual tribute etched on his person as a permanent reminder of how much the fundraising challenge means to him.
He said: “I know it would be more traditional to buy something like a watch, but I thought I would get a tattoo to represent something that means a lot to me.
“I really love the event logo, it is really distinctive.
“I have the date of 2006 as well, and my aim is to add to that with 2008, 2015 and 2016.
“It is quite a talking point, and I’m really pleased with how it turned out.”
Mr Squair will celebrate his 50th birthday by returning to the picturesque setting on Sunday, September 25, where he hopes to break his personal record.
He completed the marathon in just under four hours in 2006, and that remains his quickest time.
But he said that, despite being a decade older, he has been training so keenly that he believes he can beat that record.
Loch Ness Marathon director, Malcolm Sutherland, said he had never seen anyone display their commitment to the event as strongly as Mr Squair.
Mr Sutherland added: “We do have some very dedicated runners, but I’ve never seen anyone go to such lengths as to get such a prominent tattoo.
“We’re honoured that Nigel feels so passionately about the event, that’s real dedication.”
The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon takes place as part of a festival of running, which also comprises River Ness 10K and 5K runs and a Wee Nessie fun run for pre-school children.
The finish line is based around the event village at Bught Park in Inverness, where runners and spectators can enjoy a Baxters food and drink fair, live music and children’s activities.
The main charity beneficiary from the run is Macmillan Cancer Support, but some funds raised will go to Alzheimer Scotland, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, Highland Hospice, MND Scotland and MS Society Scotland.
More information is available at www.lochnessmarathon.com
