AN EPIC run covering the length of the Americas has been temporarily halted. . . for a wedding!

Jamie Ramsay, who grew up in Whittingehame, is approaching the halfway mark as he runs 18,000 kilometres for three charities.

The 35-year-old set off from Vancouver last August and is currently in Panama as he heads for Argentina.

However, he has had to put that dream aside for a moment as he heads to France for his younger sister Melissa’s wedding.

Jamie insisted that the running shoes would not be hung up, despite swapping Americas for Europe temporarily, and said: “I actually arrived in Panama City 24 days early so I decided to add a further 300km to my run and run to Yaviza in the very south of Panama and where the infamous Darien Gap begins.

“I also brought my flight forward so I could help my parents prepare for the wedding.

“I will now be flying to France on Wednesday from Panama City. Fingers crossed KLM will be able to give me a good seat!” Melissa, 31, who lives in Edinburgh, gets married at the end of the month to Stephen Sheppard.

And after taking in the wedding, Jamie will then fly back to Central America before getting a boat to Colombia and restarting his lengthy run.

He added: “My sister has told me that I have to run every day so I don’t get out of shape!

“I don’t think I could go that long without running as it is my passion.

“I actually think it will help put me in a good position to tackle South America.” Jamie, who has taken a sabbatical from his work as a partner at a London-based PR firm, is aiming to raise money for three charities as he covers the equivalent of 428 marathons.

Already, he has raised about £10,000, which is split between CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), Macmillan and WaterAid.

Jamie explained that the charities were all close to his heart and added: “CALM – I went to a fundraiser before I left and had no idea about how big a problem male suicide was.

“I realised that I was going to need to depend on others for help and support.

“With Macmillan, cancer is a cruel disease that affects us all.

“We all need to work together to find a cure and care for those who it has touched.

“With WaterAid, water is a basic right and one we take for advantage. I wanted to help those who have to struggle to survive without easy access.” The former Dunbar Belhaven Hill School and Musselburgh Loretto School pupil admits that the biggest challenge at the moment is more the weather than the terrain.

He told the Courier on Monday night that he was dealing with humidity and extreme heat, which “sucks the energy out of you and you end up with rashes in nasty and uncomfortable places!” He added: “I have had niggles in my knees and feet but a new pair of running shoes normally sorts that out.

“Adidas heard about what I am doing and have very generously offered to assist me by providing the running shoes I will need for South America.

“Running shoes are without a doubt the most important item of equipment I have as they ensure my body can keep going.

“It is amazing just how much difference a good pair of running shoes makes – it’s like having new legs!

“Their Ultra Boost shoes are perfect for my running style and have the cushioning and support I need for such long distances and they return energy with every step, which will definitely come in handy when crossing the Andes.” For more information, go to www.jamieisrunning.com AN EPIC run covering the length of the Americas has been temporarily halted. . . for a wedding!

Jamie Ramsay, who grew up in Whittingehame, is approaching the halfway mark as he runs 18,000 kilometres for three charities.

The 35-year-old set off from Vancouver last August and is currently in Panama as he heads for Argentina.

However, he has had to put that dream aside for a moment as he heads to France for his younger sister Melissa’s wedding.

Jamie insisted that the running shoes would not be hung up, despite swapping Americas for Europe temporarily, and said: “I actually arrived in Panama City 24 days early so I decided to add a further 300km to my run and run to Yaviza in the very south of Panama and where the infamous Darien Gap begins.

“I also brought my flight forward so I could help my parents prepare for the wedding.

“I will now be flying to France on Wednesday from Panama City. Fingers crossed KLM will be able to give me a good seat!” Melissa, 31, who lives in Edinburgh, gets married at the end of the month to Stephen Sheppard.

And after taking in the wedding, Jamie will then fly back to Central America before getting a boat to Colombia and restarting his lengthy run.

He added: “My sister has told me that I have to run every day so I don’t get out of shape!

“I don’t think I could go that long without running as it is my passion.

“I actually think it will help put me in a good position to tackle South America.” Jamie, who has taken a sabbatical from his work as a partner at a London-based PR firm, is aiming to raise money for three charities as he covers the equivalent of 428 marathons.

Already, he has raised about £10,000, which is split between CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), Macmillan and WaterAid.

Jamie explained that the charities were all close to his heart and added: “CALM – I went to a fundraiser before I left and had no idea about how big a problem male suicide was.

“I realised that I was going to need to depend on others for help and support.

“With Macmillan, cancer is a cruel disease that affects us all.

“We all need to work together to find a cure and care for those who it has touched.

“With WaterAid, water is a basic right and one we take for advantage. I wanted to help those who have to struggle to survive without easy access.” The former Dunbar Belhaven Hill School and Musselburgh Loretto School pupil admits that the biggest challenge at the moment is more the weather than the terrain.

He told the Courier on Monday night that he was dealing with humidity and extreme heat, which “sucks the energy out of you and you end up with rashes in nasty and uncomfortable places!” He added: “I have had niggles in my knees and feet but a new pair of running shoes normally sorts that out.

“Adidas heard about what I am doing and have very generously offered to assist me by providing the running shoes I will need for South America.

“Running shoes are without a doubt the most important item of equipment I have as they ensure my body can keep going.

“It is amazing just how much difference a good pair of running shoes makes – it’s like having new legs!

“Their Ultra Boost shoes are perfect for my running style and have the cushioning and support I need for such long distances and they return energy with every step, which will definitely come in handy when crossing the Andes.” For more information, go to www.jamieisrunning.com