By Katy Gilzean

FIRST MINISTER Jack McConnell praised the people of Dundee yesterday for staging a half marathon to raise funds for a Scottish charity which helps children in the famine-hit Malawi. Mr McConnell thanked the city before he sounded the horn to mark the start in City Square.

Nearly 1000 people took part in the event, which organisers hope will raise thousands for the Scottish Malawi Foundation.

A 25-strong choir had travelled from Limbe, Malawi, for the half marathon to entertain runners while they warmed up.

Mr McConnell thanked the runners for their support and then he and Stagecoach founder Ann Gloag, a trustee of the foundation, triggered the horn to mark the start of the race.

“I can’t thank the people of Dundee enough in deciding to contribute to the Scottish Malawi Foundation for this year’s half marathon,” Mr McConnell said.

He added, “I hope all the runners today enjoy the sunshine, but also realise that they are saving lives and allowing a beautiful country with strong links to Scotland to grow and prosper.”

The race set out from the City Square at 9am, and the route snaked through the city centre before it headed past Dundee High School, up Lochee Road and then down to the riverside and along to Broughty Ferry, where the runners passed through the finish line at Castle Green.

Getting into the spirit of the day were some runners who turned up in fancy dress—a fairy, hula man and gorilla passed the finish line.

Neil Murray (33) from Dundee was the overall winner, breaking the tape in one hour and 14 minutes. He said he was absolutely delighted to have won. “I beat last year’s time and I’m really pleased to have done that.”

The first woman across the finishing line was Marion Wood (48), from Arbroath, who finished in one hour 36 minutes.

One runner had a very special reason for competing. Naiem Zaveri has been in Dundee for five years, but is originally from Zomba, Malawi. He said the people of Dundee had been very generous in helping his country.

“I have seen some awful things—children with AIDS and people starving—so it is great to be able to raise money for them.

“I run a newsagents in Barnhill and I would just like to thank all my customers for helping me out with my sponsorship money. I’ve managed to raise about £350 so far.”

Staff from the Westgate Health Centre, which is twinned with a health centre in Zingwanga, Malawi, also had a special reason to take part in the race.

Malawi is the world’s fourth poorest country and its people can expect to live only 37 years. AIDS claims 10 lives every hour and there are as many as 450,000 orphans.

Those who took part in aid of the Scottish Malawi Foundation have been assured that every penny they raise in sponsorship will go directly to support the people who need it most.

David Cunningham, of organiser Trigger Events, said, “The money does not go to the Government or big agencies. The foundation works with volunteer staff to make sure the sponsorship money goes to support the people who need it most.

“We won’t know how much we have raised for a few weeks until the sponsorship money has all come in. We urge people to collect it all and send it in as soon as possible.”

Jill Shimi, Dundee City Council administration leader, said she was delighted with the response to the event. “People are here for two reasons today. One to have fun, but secondly and most importantly, they are here to raise funds for such a worthy cause. We are all appalled at the horrific statistics in Malawi.”

The other top finishers yesterday were: Pete Fox (44), from Dundee, who came second with a time of one hour 22 minutes; Gavin Melville (27), from Carnoustie, who was third in one hour 26 minutes; second woman Lynn Henderson (33), from Arbroath, who clocked one hour 36 minutes; Margaret Murray (45), from Dundee, who was the third woman to finish, in one hour 38 minutes; Kevin Green (50), from Dundee, who was the first over-50s male, finishing in one hour 33 minutes; and Norma Bird (50), who was the first over-50s female to complete the course, with a time of one hour 51 minutes.