Annanhill Primary School teacher, Gillian Jarvie, and classroom assistant, Amanda McGarvie, completed the London Marathon where they've raised £6,640 for charities close to their hearts.
The Kilmarnock duo ran the 26-mile course on Sunday, April 21 in 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Gillian, 40, ran the 2024 London Marathon in honour of her late dad, John, who suffered from Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and died suddenly as a result of the other complications the disease and its treatment can cause.
Gillian told Ayrshire Live: "I decided to take part in the London Marathon as I was inspired by friends who ran last year. I entered the ballot and looked into the charities that offered places. I saw the PKD charity and I knew that was the charity I needed to run for!
"My dad suffered from PKD and attended dialysis since he was in his 40s due to kidney failure. He died prematurely at 61-years-old with other complications that this disease/ dialysis had on his body.
"My dad loved the London Marathon and would be so proud that I went for it having only started running over a year ago. He has been my hero all my life! He loved a laugh, his football and most importantly, his family. He was such a huge character and always tried to make others laugh telling us all of his funny stories of how he travelled the world with his beloved Glasgow Rangers.
"My dad’s sudden passing left such a hole in our hearts. He died four weeks before the birth of my youngest daughter Grace and he never got to meet his youngest grandson Zack who was born four months later. We are devastated that my dad never got to see his four grandchildren grow up. He was taken far too soon.
"My mum has been denied the chance to enjoy her retirement with my dad. That is why I'm beyond proud to give something back and ran the London Marathon in his honour."
She continued: "My sister, Heather, and I have also inherited this disease from my dad. So raising money for PKD is so important to us to help fund future research and support for families going through this cruel disease. We have seen first hand what this disease can do to your body and the effect it has on your loved ones."
Gillian's goal was to raise £2,000 for the charity but she is "delighted" that she has now raised over £3,000.
Amanda, 44, decided to run the London Marathon as it is something she dreamed about ever since she started running over two years ago.
She chose the Asthma and Lung UK charity for which she has managed to fundraise over £3,500.
Amanda said: "I chose this charity because my husband, Chris, has had asthma all his life which has impacted on his health. Chris’s dad also had COPD, a lung disease that causes restricted airflow and breathing problems, and had to retire early due to this. He sadly died in October last year.
"Both my son Ally and daughter Millie have had asthma all their lives and luckily Millie has grown out of it in her teenage years. Ally still has to take his inhalers daily in order for him to lead a healthy life the same as his peers.
"When both my children were younger they had overnight stays in hospital due to suffering asthma attacks. During these worrying times I was so grateful to the NHS who helped enormously. The charity works in partnership with the NHS to ensure all advice, etc, is up to date."
She added: "Those who know me know I really was a non-runner or exerciser. I used to turn up for long walks with my flip-flops on. Over the past two years I have completed many 5 and 10ks as well as the Edinburgh half-marathon, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I felt it was time for my next challenge of the marathon and where better than London?!"
Amanda and Gillian prepared for the London Marathon together, they both found the training "challenging".
Amanda said: "Myself and Gillian trained three times a week doing our long runs every Friday after work no matter the weather. Our biggest run was 18 miles, then we would reward ourselves with a chip roll from Bonnyton Cafe."
Gillian added: "The most challenging part of it all was the training. I had to train through my 40th celebrations, an HMIE inspection at work and lots of niggly injuries. My friend, Amanda, and I would try to go out for two smaller runs and a longer run every week, on a Friday night after work, as well as a strengthening class on a Saturday morning.
"After working full-time all week and being a mum of three young children, going out for 16-mile runs on a dark Friday night in the middle of winter was tough. I also picked up an ankle injury on my last long run so had to cycle to try and keep up some of my fitness until the big day."
The duo described the London Marathon as "one of the best things in life" they have done.
Amanda said: "The most rewarding part was running it with my friend Gillian. We ran the marathon together and laughed, sang and talked the full way. This is what is all about. It took us 5 hours and 45 minutes to finish. We didn't care about the time we just wanted to enjoy it and have fun, which we did.
"One of the best bits was running across Tower Bridge then to see us on TV."
Gillian added: "The day itself was amazing. Amanda and I ran together and had the best time! We high-fived everyone, ate all the sweeties on offer, laughed, danced and sang from start to finish. Some highlights were Cutty Sark, meeting our family and a work colleague at various places along the course, Tower Bridge, Rainbow Row and crossing the finish line singing and dancing to Reach for the Stars.
"This was our first marathon but I don’t think it’ll be the last.
"The experience was one of the best in my life and the support was unreal. I am so happy that I got to do this with Amanda and to have my family there was extra special. A memory that will last a lifetime!"
To support Gillian's fundraiser visit here.
To support Amanda's fundraiser visit here.
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