THE Edinburgh Marathon might be postponed but it has not stopped one county man from completing a huge running challenge of his own.

Gregor Milne, 40, of North Berwick, had planned to run in the 26.2-mile event, which was due to be his first marathon, in May.

After hearing it was postponed, he decided to keep running and raise money for Macmillan in the process.

Gregor, a stay-at-home dad to two-year-old son Bertie that he has with wife Camilla, completed one mile, five-kilometre, 10-kilometre, half marathon and full marathon runs in his back garden between April 6 and 13.

He said: “It started with the shorter runs and a half marathon in the garden on consecutive days and then I took a rest!

“Next thing I knew I was running a full marathon on the seventh day.

“I just couldn’t admit defeat and it’s for a good cause so I kept going. It feels so important to be raising money right now.

“I look after my little boy full-time as a stay-at-home dad, so working from home is nothing new to me – he’s used to having me around.

“He was really enjoying watching me run around the garden but I think he was a bit confused when he realised daddy was still running after his afternoon nap.

“I’ve always been good at motivating myself to go out running but this was something quite different and became monotonous. I had some audio books, music and a fuel table [water, chocolate and dates on it] to keep me going.”

The last marathon run saw him complete approximately 1,000 40-metre laps of his garden in six hours.

Gregor, a former coffee roaster at Artisan Roast coffee in Edinburgh, said: “Such a tight loop made for very painful legs; my ankles and feet really took a pounding.

“The last seven kilometres were extremely tough. I’m definitely suffering a bit – my right knee is still recovering

“I’m really glad I did it, especially if it helps raise funds for Macmillan at a time when they need help.

“I turned 40 last year so that was the whole reason behind signing up for Edinburgh. I never thought for a second I’d end up running it in 40-metre circles.”

Gregor plans to run the Edinburgh Marathon on its new date in September and is no stranger to raising money for the good cause.

He said: “I know people who have experienced help from Macmillan so it’s a charity I know a lot about. My wife and I cycled Land’s End to John O’Groats for Macmillan a few years back – it’s great to do something for them again.”

Gregor’s brother Kevin said: “It’s an amazing achievement. Having the physical ability to do it is one thing but the mental strength to be able to keep going is another.

“Lots of people have done marathons but I’m pretty sure few will have done one in their small back garden.”

Gregor aimed to raise £750 but has so far raised over £1,200, something he describes as “fantastic”.

He added: “Times are tough so I didn’t want to push too much but it’s been great.”

Angela McCormack, area fundraising manager at Macmillan for south and east Scotland, said: “I really applaud Gregor’s effort. It must have been quite challenging, especially the tight corners. It’s very inspiring.

“I want to thank him for raising funds for Macmillan during this time when our fundraising has taken a considerable dip.”

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GregorMilne-2020EdinburghMarathon547