A runner who died in last year’s London Marathon was honoured at a race near his home town.
Army officer Captain David Seath was just over three miles short of the finish line when he collapsed, having suffered cardiac arrest, and later died in hospital.
Around 250 people, including family and friends, took part in a 5k run in Dunfermline’s Pittencrieff Park, raising over £1,200 for a fund set up in his memory.
At the same time a 10-strong team of David’s friends and colleagues ran the London Marathon, raising over £5,000 in his name, and his cousins ran in Perth, Australia.
David’s mum Libby said: “We’ve been overwhelmed and delighted by the response, not just from the local community who have been fantastic, but worldwide.
“Over 250 people took part, with everything from babies in buggies to dogs, all walking or running in David’s name.
“My sister and her husband came all the way from Perth, Australia and my nieces ran the same distance along the coast in Australia, followed by a friendly dolphin!
“While the anniversary is a horrible day for us, the memory of today’s event is very special. It feels like David is still with us.”
The family hopes to make the run an annual event, to continue David’s fundraising efforts.
David, from Crossgates, was an officer in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and was running the marathon in support of the Help for Heroes charity.
People ran and walked yesterday’s 5km route, which closely equates to the 3.2 miles David was short of finishing the marathon
It was organised by his brother Gary, who set up the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund to provide financial support through Help for Heroes to service personnel and veterans who have experience physical or psychological trauma in service.
Ailsa Alcock, Scottish regional manager for Help for Heroes, said: “Thanks to the fundraising David started and his family and friends have continued in his name over the past year, more than 170 lives have already been transformed, through individual grants we have made in David’s name.”
