Forres Thistle players receive Mental Mechanics training kits after impressive hour-long runs
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THE top three runners in Forres Thistle’s one-hour running challenge received their reward this week.
Thistle’s charity run, which took place three weeks ago, saw 24 players and staff members run for an hour each to raise £2193 to be split between Mental Mechanics and Forres Girls FC.
Edinburgh-based Mental Mechanics, which was set up by two former Forres Thistle players, is a club which openly encourages players to speak out about their mental health.
As a thank-you for receiving half of the £2193 raised – Mental Mechanics, who are setting up to take part in their first season this year, sent the three players who ran the furthest one of their brand-new training kits.
Fin Anderson, one of Mental Mechanics’ founders, said: “This money will go towards the costs for the season such as paying referees and renting pitches.
“I thought it be nice to send up a couple tops as a thank you and then I had the idea of giving it to the people who covered the most distance.
“I want to say a huge thank you to the club – it’s amazing what they managed to achieve with the overwhelming support from Forres residents.
“Also, it makes me very proud that they wanted to help us out after me and Jon (Fraser, other club founder) used to play for Thistle and became good friends there.”
Thistle’s top three runners, seen above wearing their brand-new pink kits, were Ross Paterson, Danny Black and Neil Moir.
Neil Moir posted the very final run of the event – starting at 6pm on Saturday night and running 14.11km to grab third place and his training kit.
Danny Black was second quickest – running an impressive 15.77km within his hour slot, only to be beaten by midfielder Ross Paterson, who ran a total of 16.35km in his hour, which started at 1pm on the Sunday afternoon.
And the man who ran the furthest was delighted with his efforts – and to raise much-needed funds for two local causes.
Paterson said: “I’m definitely chuffed with my new pink top. It will be used as an extra layer in the cold winter months.
“Most of all, I’m delighted with the money raised which far exceeded our initial expectations.”
