Family and friends of the Fife army captain who died while running last year’s London Marathon will remember him this weekend.
Those closest to the late Captain David Seath will be joined by the local community for a commemorative 5K run event in Dunfermline’s Pittencrieff Park on Sunday.
Captain Seath collapsed 3.2 miles short of the finish line on Upper Thames Street and died later in hospital. The officer in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery was running in support of Help for Heroes.
One year on, participants will run, walk and dog-jog the 5km route which closely equates to the distance he had left to finish in London.
To be officially opened by Provost Jim Leishman at 10.15am, the event has been organised by David’s brother Gary.
He established the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund to provide financial support through Help for Heroes to service personnel and veterans who have experienced physical and psychological trauma in service of their country.
To date, 174 financial grants have been awarded with more than £250,000 being raised and donated in memory of Mr Seath.
Thanking everyone who who has signed up, he said: “I felt it was important to establish the event to provide an opportunity for family, friends and the wider community to come together as a means of commemoration but, most importantly, celebrate David’s life.
“I am sure the event will prove highly emotional but I am confident in its success in terms of commemoration, celebration and providing a real demonstration of solidarity within the local community.”
While the event starts in Dunfermline, a team of friends and former army colleagues will prepare to retrace his steps by running the London Marathon.
So far, the team has raised more than £4,000.
Help for Heroes’ director of fundraising Alistair Lockhart said: “Thanks to the fundraising David started and his family and friends are continuing in his name, more than 170 lives have already been transformed, through individual grants we have made in David’s name.
“For those suffering an injury or illness due to service, their recovery can last a lifetime.
“We continue to rely almost entirely on public support and we are exceptionally grateful to David’s family, friends and colleagues for every penny raised in his memory, as each one really does make a difference.”
