Fundraising Story
From the edge of the world
Gary’s Spitsbergen Half Marathon raises vital funds for Glasgow City Mission.
When Gary Meechan signed up for the Spitsbergen Half Marathon, he wasn’t simply taking on another running challenge. He wanted to raise money for Glasgow City Mission’s Child and Family Centre in Govan, where children and families experiencing hardship find practical support, lasting relationships and the hope of the Gospel.
Travelling to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, Gary found himself closer to the North Pole than mainland Norway, facing glaciers, snow-covered mountains and Arctic conditions that made this one of the most unique races in the world.
After completing the race in 2 hours and 5 minutes, finishing 65th out of 235 runners, Gary reflected on an unforgettable few days at the edge of the world.
Running for families in Govan
The Glasgow City Mission Child and Family Centre in Govan continues to support children, young people and families through groups, activities, residential weekends and long-term relationships.
Gary’s challenge helped raise awareness and funds for this work, supporting families with practical care, encouragement and Christian hope.
Gary’s own words
A race at the edge of the world
As the plane made its approach to a place nearer the North Pole than mainland Norway, the snow clad mountains, glaciers and partly frozen fjords even early June, became visible.
It had snowed a few days earlier and although the temperature had since climbed above freezing, the cold hit me when I got off the plane, a far cry from the 21°C I’d left behind in the preceding week back home.
Being honest, I had a sense of foreboding, cold, grey… defo outwith my comfort zone. I prayed.
Here comes the madness.
I had pre-booked what was described as a Midnight Sun Hike up a Munro sized mountain, barely 30 hours before my half marathon.
I’m only here once. Go for it. I prayed.
But wow… when the 10.30pm pick up time arrived, the skies had cleared. Perfect blue which contrasted beautifully with the deeper blue of the fjord below. Surreal.
Crampons were fastened on my boots when we hit the snow-line. I’m 66 next month. I’m running a half marathon in just over 24 hours. I shouldn’t be doing this!
Ach… I’m only here once. Go for it. I prayed.
The view at the top was breathtaking. Sun fairly high in the sky at 12.40am. Surreal (the constant daylight played havoc with my sleep).
Race day. I knew the final 3 miles were uphill. Bright but very windy conditions of Scottish winter proportions. The wind would be against me these final 3 uphill miles so I decided to run conservatively to reach the last 3 miles in good nick.
The first 4+ miles were mainly uphill/flat.
Wind against especially when we got to the fjord.
I tucked in behind 2 or 3 guys and used them as wind shields but their pace was slower than mine so I’m thinking 🤔 ‘do I stay here or do I trust myself and go off on my own against the teeth of the gale?’
I went for the latter. I’m only here once.
The turning point at halfway gave me another decision to make 🤔. The wind from miles 6-10 was now behind. I felt good.
‘Do I keep running conservatively or do I go for it and kick on?’ This mad 65 year old went for the latter.
I’m only here once. Leave it all out there. I prayed.
At mile 10, approaching the turn for the final 3 mile climb, I felt I was ripping it. Totally on it.
That last 3 miles, climbing, against the gale… brutal.
But wow… 😧😣… that last 3 miles, climbing, against the gale… brutal… and my ‘ripping it’ pace quickly deteriorated to running against a wall of wind.
We’ve all used the cliché ‘separate the men from the boys’. I was defo a boy for these last 3 miles 😂.
This part of the route was on a dirt track and the wind regularly whipped up clouds of grit in my face and eyes. Brutal but I thanked God for this amazing experience.
I finished in 2 hours 5 mins, 9 mins slower than my Budapest time in March but I wouldn’t have swapped this for anything.
I finished 65th from 235 starters.
The next day, I had one of the most memorable experiences of my life. A boat trip which, with the fragmenting sea ice, allowed us to go onshore and get close to walruses and seals on a landscape dominated by snow and icebergs. Again, gloomy skies gave way to deep blue skies which formed a stunning backdrop to the snow. Breathtaking.
Once the guide checked through their binoculars that there were no polar bears around, we were able to explore and take photographs, although they continued scanning the landscape to keep us safe.
I’m so grateful to God for this time on the edge of the world.
Helping families in Govan
Gary took on this challenge to support the work of Glasgow City Mission’s Child and Family Centre in Govan, which continues to walk alongside children and families through toddler groups, activities for primary-aged children, support for mothers, residential weekends and opportunities to hear about the hope of Jesus. Gary’s fundraiser is still active and you can make a donation towards his achievement on his JustGiving page by following the link below.
Every gift will help Glasgow City Mission continue to bring practical support, hope and lasting relationships to people across our city.
