A WELL-KNOWN Musselburgh Tesco worker is running the Edinburgh Half Marathon in memory of her “wonderful” mum.

Fiona Macpherson, 59, of Inveresk Road, has been busy training for the 13.1-mile event, which takes place this Sunday.

The run starts at 8am on Potterrow against the backdrop of the University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall, taking in the Royal Mile, Princes Street Gardens, Holyrood Park, Portobello, Musselburgh and Levenhall before turning back to the finish line at the playing fields of Pinkie St Peter’s Primary School in Musselburgh.

Fiona, who is originally from Portobello but has lived in Musselburgh for 30 years, said that a challenge to run a half marathon by her daughter Rachel, 29, which started out as a joke, became reality when she decided to give it a go.

She said: “I have no previous running experience at all.

“My eldest daughter, Rachel, has been running since 2022 and is now completing ultras. She challenged me to do a half marathon.

“It was all a joke initially, with no one thinking I would actually do it.”

'Cruel disease'

Fiona, who has worked at the checkouts at Musselburgh Tesco for 25 years, started training in January, running three times a week.

Funds she raises will go to Alzheimer Scotland in memory of her mum, Morag Falconer, from Portobello.

Fiona said: “I decided, if I’m putting in the graft, it would be better to raise money for a worthwhile cause.

“I chose Alzheimer Scotland as mum, who passed away in September 2023, aged 97, had dementia in the latter stage of her life.”

She added: “I work on checkouts in Tesco Musselburgh and I’ve seen lots of customers and their loved ones suffer from this cruel disease, which robs you of the person they once were.

“I have been training throughout the cold weather so I’m not relishing the increase in temperature for the run.

“Rachel will be running alongside me for support and encouragement.”

Her other daughter, Carly, 26; Fiona’s partner, Dougie Smith, who was formerly the community police officer in Musselburgh and is now retired; and friends will be cheering on the running duo at the finish line.

£1,500 raised

Fiona said: “I have a JustGiving page and have, so far, raised nearly £1,500 which I’m so grateful for and thank everybody for.”

To support Fiona, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/Fiona-Macpherson2024

There is also a poster on the news board inside the Tesco store near the self-service checkouts, with a QR code that customers can scan with their phone to donate.

A spokesperson for Alzheimer Scotland said: “Our aim is to make sure nobody faces dementia alone.

“We provide support and information to people with dementia, their carers and families, we campaign for the rights of people with dementia and fund vital dementia research.

“We have dementia resource centres in 25 different locations across Scotland. Those centres provide a safe and friendly environment for people with dementia and their carers to visit and take part in a wide variety of activity groups.

“We are very proud of our 24-hour freephone dementia helpline, which provides information and emotional support to people with dementia, carers, families, friends and professionals.

“There is a network of dementia advisors employed by Alzheimer Scotland who work in local communities to support people with a diagnosis by giving advice and information.”