ALREADY in training for the Great North Run in September is Uisdean MacRae of Nelson Street. Uisdean, who has been Scottish 75m champion in the wheelchair sprint for more years than he can remember (as well as holding other athletic titles), is getting set to spin himself around the famous half-marathon route for only the second time in his life.

He first took part in the 13 and a half-mile event in 1998, but the cost of getting there and the difficulty of getting a place has kept him from repeating the experience. At present he goes training three hours a day and he also attends the gym at the Sports Centre on Saturdays.

Uisdean will be travelling alone on the train - he says the event is so popular it is almost impossible to get a bed in Newcastle for people accompanying participants.
Meanwhile he is also practising for the Scottish Wheelchair Dancing Championships at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow at the end of this month. He is part of the highly successful Highland Flyers team who have won numerous medals at this annual event. Good luck, Uisdean!