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Orkney man just keeps on running
Tuesday August 19th 2008. Posted: 09:00
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Robbie Bruce takes to the hills
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It seems Openreach has its very own marathon man in 52-year-old Orkney-based Robbie Bruce.
The operations manager has been constantly pushing himself to the limit since taking up jogging five years ago and has just completed his first 53-mile race. Robbie rose to the challenge set out by colleague Iain Morrice, based in Edinburgh - and, before he knew it, was running all the way from Milngavie to Tyndrum. The marathon, which is aptly-named the Highland Fling, took super-fit Robbie along the West Highland Way in all weathers and he finished eighth in his age group. Robbie had already completed marathons in London, Edinburgh and Dublin the year before but this was his biggest challenge yet. He said: “I wanted to try something different this year so went for the ‘ultra’ marathon after Iain suggested it. “I started training and, when it looked like it was going well, entered the race. I left Orkney by ferry and drove to Milngavie for an overnight stop. The start gun fired at 6am the next morning and I was off. “The sky was overcast with a bit of drizzle at first, but it soon turned into heavy rain and windy conditions as we ran over Connic Hill 15 miles into the race. “By mid morning, the rain stopped and the views across Loch Lomond were spectacular. Things were going well but then I twisted my knee. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to complete the race but there were only 19 miles to go, so I just put my head down and went for it. “I tried to get to the finish line before 12 hours was up but missed it by nine minutes. I came 65th out of 120 runners but really enjoyed the experience. “It was great that all the runners were serious, with nobody wearing bear suits or Elvis outfits.” Robbie was inspired to get fit by BT’s Health for Life initiative, during which he completed a 90-hour home study course in fitness and nutrition in conjunction with James Watt College. He added: “I gained valuable knowledge that helped me significantly in my first attempt at an ultra marathon.” And, although Robbie’s not keen to push himself quite as hard again in a hurry, his sights are set on finishing the second half of the West Highland Way in a 42-mile race called the Devil of the Highlands.
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