Mark Reynolds backs our 6k

Superfit Aberdeen football star Mark Reynolds wants all our supporters to get on their marks and join in our fantastic 6k Family Fun Run on Saturday, 2nd at Strathclyde Country Park in Motherwell to help kick-start a new healthy lifestyle.

Keeping fit is part of the job for the Dons defender, whose team has just come second in the Scottish Premiership behind champions Celtic, but he says running is great fun, free and can help you achieve your fitness goals.

The run kicks off at 11am, but the fun starts from 10am onwards, with plenty of music, stalls and games, making it a perfect summer’s day out for the whole family whether you decide to run, jog or walk.

Taking part in the 6k is also a great way to show solidarity with the world’s poorest. Millions of people walk for hours in search of food and water, others flee across continents to safety so by getting involved you can share their journey and raise money towards SCIAF’s work helping people in poverty across 27 countries.

Former Motherwell player Mark, 31, said: “I wanted to highlight SCIAF’s 6k because I think the charity does a great job, and health and fitness are very important to me and my family.

“It’s something everyone can do. The benefits of running are huge in terms of better lifestyle. It helps to build your fitness so you’re not going to get out of breath when you’ve got kids, grandkids or just out with your pals. You’re fitter and are going to enjoy things a lot more instead of being stuck inside which is a huge problem in Scotland with obesity and lifestyle issues, and we are seeing it a lot more in children as well now.”

Mark and teammate Scott Wright are the fastest runners in the Aberdeen squad and can reach a top speed of 36km an hour so running it second nature to him. He added: “I’d encourage everyone to get their trainers on and get involved in SCIAF’s 6k. It’s for a great cause and the money will help some of the world’s poorest people out of poverty.

“You don’t even have to run the 6k – walking is just as good – and it’s a great day out for all the family. There’s also a great sense of community about runs like this, there’s always a great atmosphere to soak up and it gives you a great sense of accomplishment to be part of it.”

The location for the 6k once formed part of Mark’s pre-season training route where he used to run from his home in Douglas Street, around Strathclyde Country Park and back, in half-an-hour to keep on top of his game while playing for Motherwell.
He said: “I’m lucky my job is to go out and keep fit. I do a lot of running in football. In training, we usually cover 10km in a day but that’s walking and running. I used to do a lot of my pre-season training around Strathclyde Country Park and it’s a great place to run.

“Running is such a brilliant way to keep fit. You can go at your own pace and level and you don’t really need any equipment but a pair of shoes and if you get nice weather then it’s even better.”

We want to say a huge thanks to Mark and everyone else who’s helped promote our 6k fun run for us. Whether you run, walk or sponsor someone, you’ll be able to help some of the poorest communities in the world get the help they need to grow more food, earn a living and create a better future. I urge everyone to come along - it’ll be a great day out for a great cause.