A Moray grandmother is gearing up for her 21st marathon – just a decade after taking up distance running.
Retired lecturer Anne Docherty, 72, hated pounding the streets through most of her adult life – preferring instead to seek out spectacular views hillwalking.
However, when her husband was no longer able to climb Munros she turned to running instead.
A brief flirtation with the gym did not fit with her love of the outdoors so she soon began weaving through the woodland paths on Cluny Hill near her Forres home.
At 61 years of age the pensioner ran her first marathon at Loch Ness and at the weekend she will complete her 21st race over the distance in London – the ninth time she has run in the capital.
Yesterday the Forres pensioner was out on one of her five weekly training runs to ensure she was ready for the race.
She said: “One of the reasons I do it is to show people that you can still keep active, no matter what your age is.
“If you have your health then you should just do it. Whether it’s a marathon, a swim or just keeping busy in the garden – age isn’t a barrier.
“The training isn’t easy. It can be quite difficult but I enjoy it and it is very sociable.”
Mrs Doherty initially ran on her own before being spotted by members of the Forres Harriers running club.
The group soon encouraged her to put herself forward for the Loch Ness Marathon and the retiree has completed 26-mile courses twice a year ever since.
Her newfound love of endurance racing has taken her to races in Dublin, Edinburgh and Lochaber – and has also featured a win at the British Masters in Kent. An embroidered hankerchief lists every time she has crossed the finish line.
On Sunday Mrs Docherty will be cheered on by her daughter and grandchildren as she runs the London Marathon for the ninth time to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Clan.
She added: “The first time I finished at London it was such a relief. I crossed the line crying. The whole atmosphere in London is wonderful, everyone is so happy to be there.”
Donations can be made to Mrs Docherty online at
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AnneDocherty