Dumfries NHS worker runs Edinburgh marathon for Age Scotland

Conor Mahon, an NHS worker based in Dumfries, is taking part in this year’s Edinburgh marathon to raise funds for Age Scotland.

Through his job working in mental health at NHS Dumfries and Galloway and also from volunteering in a care home as a student, Conor, 32, is all too aware of the challenges facing older people, including the high levels of loneliness and isolation affecting so many.

He is hoping to raise at least £1,000 for Age Scotland to support the charity’s work delivering services, information, friendship and activities to older people across the country.

For Conor, who grew up in Dublin and moved to Dumfries in 2021, completing the Edinburgh marathon is unfinished business. He signed up to take part in 2018 but sustained an injury during training and had to pull out of the race.

“Taking part this year is coming full circle. I’m being very strict with myself, very regimented,” he said. “I’m following a Runners’ World 16-week programme with the aim of running the marathon in under three hours and 15 minutes. I’m taking my post training recovery very seriously too, with plenty of stretches and time in the hot tub. I’m not taking any risks this time.”

The event in May will be Conor’s first full marathon and to mark the occasion he decided to raise money for Age Scotland. “Since coming to Scotland, I heard about Age Scotland and the great work it does through colleagues” he said.    

“When I was studying at Dublin City University, I volunteered at a local care home, where my grandfather happened to be a resident. I’ve always had in mind the idea that I wanted to give back to an organisation working with older adults.

“I know about some of the issues affecting older people and about the post-Covid-19 impact of loneliness”

“These issues are even more evident in areas like Dumfries and Galloway, a gorgeous part of the country and a large geographical area but very sparsely populated. Finding services and social opportunities to meet people can be quite challenging. Older people’s loneliness and isolation were at the forefront of my mind when I signed up as a fundraiser.”

With just over six weeks to go, Conor’s training is going well. He is enjoying running along the cycle paths and banks of the River Nith, taking in the scenery. “It’s a great part of Scotland to run,” he said. “I’ve got to know every part of Dumfries very well.

Show your support for everyone running this year's marathon on behalf of Age Scotland here: The Edinburgh Marathon 2025 - JustGiving