Michael McGuire is getting ready to take part in his sixth marathon. He took up running after his son was stillborn and has since raised thousands for charity in his memory.
When our only son was still born at 32 weeks, it was possibly the worst thing you could endure as a parent.
My wife Rachel was then diagnosed with cervical cancer aged just 26. She is in remission now thankfully, after undergoing gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but it has been a tough time for all of us including our daughter Amelie who is seven.
Rachel has been brave beyond words. It was a hammer blow when she was diagnosed with cancer and I felt totally helpless, but she has the courage of a lion and she has pulled through.
At the time, I started marathon running to give me a positive focus and to honour Kyle and ensure he didn’t die in vain. I have now raised £7,000 for charities and causes close to my family’s heart
Running got me out of a hole and has helped to provide light at the end of the tunnel.
One of my favourite events is the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon and I’ve just signed up to run it for the fourth time this September.
It will be my sixth marathon in the last five years so it has become a bit of an obsession to challenge myself and do something positive. It has helped give me a purpose and I credit with helping me become a better husband, father and friend.
It is an occasion like no other due to the friendly spirit and camaraderie that prevails. In 2014 I struck up a friendship with fellow first-time runner while travelling on the runners’ bus to the start line and we have taken part together ever since, becoming great friends.
It is also a symbolic race for me.
When we lost Kyle, we travelled home to Fort William from Glasgow and rainbows paved our way and we always felt that was him looking out for us. Ever since they have followed us in many guises – including at the start and finish line of last year’s marathon.
Rainbows have become massively symbolic to us, and Kyle will always be known as our rainbow.
There have been so many occasions when we’ve seen rainbows and we believe they are there to remind us, inspire us and keep us going.
Kyle is always with me when I’m running – as is Amelie. I have their footprints tattooed on my calves.
When I am running they are following me and take every step with me. I’m looking forward to making it four in a row for my baby boy to keep his memory alive and to make my wife and daughter proud.
Away from running, I volunteer with SiMBA, Simpsons Memory Box Appeal, a charity that provides support to parents who lose a child, and will be raising funds for this cause through my marathon effort.
I’ve also helped raise funds for charities including the stillbirth and neonatal birth charity SANDS UK and Clic Sargent. My aim is to make a difference so that others never hurt like we did.
Entries for all races are available online now at lochnessmarathon.com. The event is active on Facebook at facebook.com/lochnessmarathon and on Twitter @nessmarathon – use the hashtag #RunLochNess.
