Lanarkshire MP takes on 24-hour constituency running challenge (2025)

Michael Shanks ran a mile at 24 different locations in his parliamentary area as he prepares for the London marathon

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Michael Shanks MP put in the legwork around his constituency as he completed a 24-hour running challenge as part of his fundraising and training for this month’s London marathon.

He ran one mile each hour throughout the day and night at a variety of community spaces, landmarks and businesses across his parliamentary area of Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Blantyre, Uddingston and Bothwell.

Joining him along the way were representatives of his chosen charities, sports enthusiasts, litter pickers and even a giant football mascot, while he was kept sustained throughout the day-long and overnight challenge by food from two favourite local institutions.

Mr Shanks is running the London marathon in two weeks’ time to raise funds for Cambuslang-based Clyde cycle park, which provides free bike training and community sessions on their track at a transformed, previously derelict site; and for Camglen Buddies, which provides inclusive social activities and support for people with additional support needs.

He described his additional training challenge, which saw him run one mile at a different constituency location on the stroke of each hour throughout the day and night, as a second “moment of madness” following his initial decision to take on the famous marathon; but praised the local support and fine weather which made it go smoothly.

The MP told Lanarkshire Live: “I genuinely had the best time meeting and chatting with the hard-working volunteers and community group leaders who make our local area so great, and I couldn’t have picked a better day with the sun shining.

“I decided to take on this challenge partly as a way to train for the marathon, but also to get out and about in this fantastic constituency and see how much is going on in every part of it every day; the support I’ve received throughout the process has been overwhelming and a massive boost, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who joined in and donated to support these fantastic charities.”

His run began at the Hamish B Allan stadium home of Rutherglen Glencairn FC, where he completed five early-morning laps of the pitch accompanied by the club’s dog mascot, Ruggie Duggie.

A “roasting” first day of running around the constituency took him to locations including on to Cambuslang Park, the home of 3rd Blantyre Scouts, Bothwell Castle and Redlees urban park; as well as Uddingston cricket and sports pitch, and the nearby Tunnock’s factory where his mile was rewarded with a Caramel Wafer.

Mr Shanks completed six back-and-forth crossings of the David Livingstone memorial bridge across the River Clyde, as well as showcasing an Easter postbox topper in Blantyre, running in Westburn with the team from Bravehearts boxing gym and joining Newton Road Runners, plus former MSP James Kelly, for a litter pick at Newton station.

The evening sessions included a run and refreshments at the Blantyre branch of “the Lanarkshire institution that is Carrigan’s”, an atmospheric night-time run past Rutherglen Old parish church and its historic graveyard and a mile concluding at Burnside railway station.

A “mad running challenge” concluded with a sunrise mile at Whitlawburn, laps at Fernbrae Meadows and Cuningar Loop and finally the 24th mile at Clyde cycle park where Mr Shanks was cheered to the finishing line by charity volunteers – with his fundraising total so far having reached £1000 ahead of the marathon on April 27.

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