Latest news with #UltraMarathon
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Former Kilmarnock player tackling jungles and deserts to help daughter
The former midfielder has made his peace with the fact that his daughter will never date a boyfriend, never get married, never have children or find an escape from the 50 different symptoms associated with a debilitating illness. The one thing he can't accept is the impotence of sitting around, doing nothing. His solution is extreme in a very real sense. To raise money for the Reverse Rett charity, 56-year-old 'Mavis' completed the infamous Marathon des Sables over seven days of gruelling heat then finished third in the 230-kilometre Ultra Marathon in Peru last year. On Saturday he tackles the 104-mile Ultra Scotland event between Dalry and Melrose and while his fundraising efforts have contributed over £100k to the search for a cure, the benefits to his own state of mind have been equally undeniable. 'I always say to people that Dionne's condition has given me some unbelievable life experiences and made me realise what's important in life,' he tells Herald Sport. 'Ordinarily I would have never have done the events I've done. Subconsciously I think it also became a substitute for me for the loss of football as well. I played for 21 years and from the age of 22, I started to train every day as if I was contesting a World Cup final.' He retired from playing for St Mirren in 2006 and found coaching an unfulfilling experience. Managing two Subway stores in Coatbridge and Bellshill failed to fill the void left by professional football. In 2008 the credit crunch came along and swallowed up the profits. A neighbour flagged up a recruitment drive by Police Scotland and, after 15 years on the thin blue line, he accepted a role with a London-based charity supporting survivors of human trafficking. His work provides a constant reminder that everyone has their crosses to bear. 'Dionne was 11 months old and there was no sign of crawling or walking before she started refluxing and being sick 20 or 30 times a day,' he recalls of the period when he realised his daughter was ill. Regular visits to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow and Wishaw General failed to come up with a conclusive diagnosis. A breakthrough came, unexpectedly, during a family holiday in Florida when he googled neurologists and found one 30 minutes away. Costing £800, tests and blood samples came back showing that Dionne had a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder which affects the way the brain develops. Primarily found in females Rett Syndrome causes a progressive loss of motor skills and language. Reverse Rett is a research organisation focussed on delivering treatment to sufferers. While they can do little for Dionne in the here and now, Reilly's quest for a future breakthrough has brought some startling and unexpected life experiences. 'Originally I started doing the events to raise awareness for the charity and for Dionne,' Reilly explains. 'But through that I discovered that I was getting something from it as well. 'You can never replace the adrenaline of playing on a Saturday, but the illness gave me a purpose and incentive to keep fit and healthy and switch from a team event to seeing how far I could push myself.' He began modestly with a Glasgow 10k in 2012 before moving on to the Three Peaks Challenge, spanning Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike in the Lake District and Snowdon in Wales over the course of 24 hours. A formidable challenge to even the toughest of mortals, Reilly was convinced to go higher, harder. Read more: Malky Mackay on Hibs' £5m chance, training-ground plan and the Black Knights Stephen McGowan: Is Dermot Desmond absentee landlord or Celtic mastermind? Incorporating a 2.4-mile swim in open water, 112 miles on a bike, then a marathon, Iron Man events offered an immediate challenge. He couldn't swim and hadn't cycled since the age of 10. Signing up to a swimming club and purchasing an aluminium bike for £500, he completed two Iron Man events before setting his sights on the legendary Marathon des Sables, a 160-mile ultramarathon held every year in the Sahara Desert. 'There was a freak heatwave and the temperatures were almost 60 degrees centigrade every day,' he recalled. 'A French competitor died on day two and one of my tent mates suffered a cardiac arrest. He was dead for two minutes before they managed to bring him back.' Even a brutal test of endurance failed to tick off all the boxes on the bucket list to end them all. Last year he ran 230 kilometres through the Amazon Jungle in Peru and finished third. 'Prior to the year I did it, only 15 per cent of the competitors finished it,' Reilly explains. 'Day two we hit the jungle and day three was incredible. We went through a protected area where less than 50 westerners had ever ventured. 'One of the reasons for that is that they have a protected species of bat, with only six of them left on the planet. 'We stayed that night with a small indigenous tribe in the jungle. Only 12 people in the whole world spoke the tribe's language. You would put your hammock up and sleep dangling between a couple of trees.' His Just Giving efforts have now raised over £60,000. His autobiography and other initiatives bolster the tally to something in the region of £100k and on Saturday he plans to raise the tally a little more by completing 104 miles and four marathons on the Southern Upland Way between Dalry and Melrose in the Ultra Scotland race. It's a long way from his old, distant life as a professional footballer with Motherwell, Killie, St Johnstone and St Mirren. 'I was at Killie 11 years or so and I had my best memories at Rugby Park, winning the Scottish Cup. But I hardly watch any games on TV these days,' he says. Gathering dust in the attic, he gifted his Scottish Cup jersey and medal away to a diehard Kilmarnock fan and gave a Kaiserslautern jersey acquired after a UEFA Cup defeat in 1999 to a roofer working on his home. 'The experience and the memories sustain me more than souvenirs,' he explains. 'Going down John Finnie Street with the cup and seeing people happy is what I think of. 'Kilmarnock still ask me to do the in-house TV channel and the truth is that I barely know the players. I loved my career and gave it everything and I don't know if subconsciously this is just the way I cope with the loss of that, but I couldn't tell you the last live game I was at or the last 90 minutes I watched on TV. 'I love my boxing now and if you gave me the choice now of watching the Champions League final or a big title fight, I'd watch the boxing.' Mark Reilly will complete the Ultra Scotland race today (Saturday 7 June 2025). To support his fund-raising efforts for Rett Syndrome research visit
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Cops on the run! Hundreds of police officers to tackle tomorrow's Comrades Marathon
A cop chase of a different kind is expected tomorrow when 437 SAPS members pursue their personal bests in the 98th Comrades Marathon, highlighting not only athletic endurance but also the organisation's commitment to health, wellness and resilience. The group includes 66 female and 371 male officers from across all nine provinces. Their participation marks a notable increase from the 356 officers who competed in 2024, reflecting a growing culture of fitness within SAPS ranks. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has thrown his support behind the participants, commending their dedication and reinforcing SAPS's focus on human capital development through wellness initiatives. 'Their involvement underscores the values of perseverance, unity and discipline that define both the SAPS and the spirit of the Comrades Marathon,' says Masemola. The 89km 'down run' from Pietermaritzburg to Durban will see over 22 000 runners take part, with SAPS runners proudly flying the organisation's flag as ambassadors of health and community engagement. Combining science, service and sport to serve the community Constable Anna Mapheto (26), stationed at SAPS Lephalale in Limpopo, serves at the Community Service Centre — the first point of contact for the public. She plays a vital role in handling complaints, opening case dockets and responding to emergencies, while also supporting crime victims and fostering trust within the community. Mapheto began her policing career after being appointed on October 3, 2022. She completed her training at SAPS Academy in Umtata and was placed as a student constable at SAPS Polokwane before being permanently stationed at Lephalale on January 3, 2024. In addition to her law enforcement duties, Mapheto holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Life Sciences from the University of Limpopo (2021) and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Sciences at the University of South Africa. She is passionate about using scientific methods to solve crimes and aspires to join the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratories. A dedicated long-distance runner, she competes for the SAPS Limpopo Marathon Club. She sees physical fitness as essential to mental strength and resilience in the demanding police environment. 'As a police official, with this physically demanding job and high-stress environment, running marathons keeps me physically and mentally fit to cope in the field of policing. I encourage my colleagues to stay active, as it boosts their health, relieves stress and strengthens both body and mind, thus helping to build healthier, safer and secure communities,' says Mapheto. In 2023, she placed second in both the Maroela Marathon's 10km women's open category and the SAPS national women's open 10km at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. She also completed the 42.2km marathon and participated in the 50km Ultra Marathon the same year. Inspired by service and resilience Seventy-two SAPS marathon runners from KZN will line up in Pietermaritzburg tomorrow, 14 of who will tackle the race for the first time. One of the first-time participants is Constable Lindanokuhle Sakhile Mdunge, a community service centre officer based at Ladysmith Police Station. Mdunge joined SAPS in 2022 after earning both a diploma and BTech in policing from the Tshwane University of Technology. He underwent intensive training at SAPS Academy Umthatha and now serves his community with commitment and compassion. Although new to the Comrades, the 31-year-old is no stranger to challenging long-distance races. He qualified for the Comrades with an impressive 3:10 finish at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. He also completed the demanding 52km Nquthu to Dundee Ultra Marathon, which gave him the confidence to push further. A personal highlight was completing the 72km Mpumalanga Cosmo 3 in1 Marathon — an achievement that propelled him towards the Comrades down run. Unlike many newcomers who idolise international runners, Mdunge finds his inspiration closer to home. He credits fellow police officer Constable Nqabayesizwe Zulu, stationed at SAPS Gauteng provincial headquarters, as his role model. 'He has been running the Comrades Marathon for over five years, and he is the one who motivated me. I am looking forward to the race, and running in the colours of my beloved organisation will encourage me not to give up. The race takes place in the month dedicated to the youth in South Africa, and as such I will do my best to show the tenacity of the youth in our country, the bravery of all young people in the SAPS, and show the world that police in South Africa are resilient,' says Mdunge. While some may approach their first Comrades with caution, Mdunge already has long-term goals. His sights are set on earning a green number — a recognition awarded to runners who complete 10 Comrades Marathons. For him, it's more than a race; it's the start of a dream come true.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo announce major news and fans are devastated
Jamie Laing and his wife Sophie Habboo have shared some major news with fans and they have been left devastated by their announcement Jamie Laing and his wife Sophie Habboo have devastated fans with their new announcement. The couple have shocked fans with their announcement, to share some big news with their followers. The couple made the announcement in their Newlyweds podcast, revealing they were standing in what would become their new bedroom with an ensuite. However, they had been using it as their podcast room to record their Newlyweds show. However, they have confirmed they will be resting the show for a while whilst they work on their home. Sophie said: "We actually have a bit of an announcement for you guys. "We are going to go on a pause, we're going to go on a little break, but we will be back and we love you guys so much. We're so grateful that you've been on this journey with us, so on that note, if you are getting married, good luck and if you're getting divorced we love you." Jamie then said: "If you are renovating your house," as Sophie added: "Don't do it." Some fans were left convinced that their decision to rest the podcast was because they were expecting a baby together. "I honestly think Sophie is pregnant," one wrote, whilst another added: "Anyone else thinking a baby announcement is coming with this episode." "Definitely returning as newlyparents podcast," a third suggested. During their podcast, the pair have been open about their marriage, having tied the knot back in May 2023. Sophie was by Jamie's side when he completed his incredible Ultra Marathon for charity, which saw him run a whopping 150 miles over five days from London to Salford, Manchester. "My hero, that I now get to share with the world. Your bravery, honesty, vulnerability and kindness are all things I see in you everyday but now everyone else gets to see that side of you too and I couldn't be more proud," she wrote. "Despite you telling me every day that you couldn't do it, and despite every part of me wanting to tell you to stop, I knew you would complete it because once you put your mind to something you don't give up, and you didn't give up." She added: "You said that you did this for all the people who suffer daily from mental health, who don't believe in themselves, who don't love themselves. Well, in your own words you have just proven that 'you are stronger than you think, you are braver than you are and you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it,' I love you so much and am forever proud of you."
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Cassie saved Cassie': Singer's husband Alex Fine calls Diddy a 'demon'
'Cassie saved Cassie': Singer's husband Alex Fine calls Diddy a 'demon' Diddy trial update: Cassie sobs on stand as her testimony concludes After the first week of testimony Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial, Cassie's time on the stand ends following harrowing testimony on Combs' alleged abuse. Alex Fine fell into the arms of his wife, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine. In August 2019, the personal trainer ran 50 miles — from Compton to Malibu, California — to raise funds for a domestic violence shelter Haven in Pontiac, Michigan. "They were kind enough to provide help and support to my mama and I'm giving back by running an Ultra Marathon (50 miles) in honor to raise awareness for Domestic Violence Victims," a GoFundMe description organized with his mom Pam Parker Fine read. Fine, 32, captioned a clip of himself hugging the "Me & U" singer, 38, after the run, "Just the person I needed with me the whole time. Wow I am so lucky to be able to hug her after this. She makes me better in every way." He raised over $55,000 for Haven. This week fans found new meaning in the video as his wife testified in the federal sex-crimes trial of ex-boyfriend Sean "Diddy" Combs. Cassie shares horrifying abuse details. In her story, survivors see themselves. Alex Fine met Cassie at the gym. Then, they fell in love After splitting from Combs in the fall of 2018, Ventura Fine debuted her new relationship on Instagram with a snap of her kissing the celebrity fitness trainer alongside a photo of her and Fine with her mom Regina Ventura. During Ventura Fine's testimony, it was confirmed that Combs hired Fine to train his now-wife. The Fines later tied the knot in a Malibu backyard wedding ceremony in October 2019. In photos shared by Vogue, a visibly pregnant Ventura Fine wore an off-the-shoulder sleeveless gown as Fine held her hand. 'A demon himself': Cassie, husband Alex Fine speak out after Diddy trial testimony That December, the couple welcomed their first daughter Frankie, now 6. In March 2021, they welcomed 4-year-old Sunny. On the witness stand, Ventura Fine said she considered taking her own life in recent years but was stopped by Fine, who she also said punched a wall after learning Combs allegedly raped her. She recalled a time when she went home to her husband, "I remember telling him, 'You can do this without me.'" Ventura Fine said during testimony that it all just felt "too painful" and that "I tried walking out the door into traffic and my husband wouldn't let me." 'Death would be considered a kindness,' Fine says of abusers Three days before filing an explosive November 2023 civil lawsuit in New York aimed at Combs alleging sexual and physical abuse, Ventura Fine shared a photo carousel of herself with a simple caption: "Casandra Fine." Last May, after a CNN surveillance video surfaced of Combs kicking, hitting and dragging Ventura Fine at a now-closed Los Angeles luxury hotel in 2016 surfaced, Fine wrote a message to domestic violence survivors: "To all the survivors, find the men and women who help and love. To all the survivors, your stories are real, and people believe you." Diddy trial: Cassie testifies on Sean Combs' 2012 overdose on painkillers "To the abusers, you're done, you're not safe anymore, you're not protected anymore, the men by your side are just as weak, you're so miserable with yourself that death would be considered a kindness." In March, the Fines stepped out for date night at the London premiere of his Paramount+ show "MobLand." In recent years, he has pursued acting projects including a role as Grady in "Yellowstone" spinoff "1883." Then, this May came as Combs stands trial on federal sex-crimes charges. For four days, he attended court as his wife delivered emotional and explosive testimony. Before the jury entered the courtroom May 13, Combs' defense team attempted to prevent Fine from being present for his wife's witness testimony. One of the ex-mogul's lawyers Teny Geragos said they may call Fine as a witness. Ultimately, he was let inside the courtroom for support. Alex Fine said Cassie 'did the work of fighting the demons' — not him On May 16, after his wife's testimony reached the finish line, Fine delivered comments through the couple's lawyer Douglas Wigdor, who spoke outside the Manhattan federal courthouse. Through Wigdor, Fine said that he felt "tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass" and "profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her." Diddy trial: Biggest moments from Week 1 including Cassie's emotional testimony "So, to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room," Fine added. "You did not break the souls of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man." Fine said that "Cassie saved Cassie," noting that "I did not save Cassie, as some have said." On the stand, she "did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done," Fine said. Cassie Ventura pregnant, expecting baby No. 3 with husband Alex Fine In February, the Fines announced that they are expecting a third child — a boy. "We appreciate all of the love and support we have received, and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer because of his mom," Fine said. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental and/or substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free and confidential treatment referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It's available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Sophie Habboo & Jamie Laing make saucy confessions about their ‘electrifying' romps & being ‘sex icons'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SOPHIE Habboo and Jamie Laing have made a saucy confession about their 'electrifying' romps. The pair, who got married in April 2023, have also given the lowdown on being 'sex icons.' 5 Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo have shared a saucy secret about their relationship Credit: Instagram/@sophiehabboo 5 The pair have been married since 2023 Credit: Splash Speaking on their podcast Newlyweds, Sophie, 30, and Jamie, 36, spoke about their recent shoot and article done exclusively with The Times. She explained that the journalist asked a simple question like 'how long have you been going out for,' and Jamie decided to answer the journalist with a little more information. Speaking to their listeners alongside Jamie, Sophie says: 'Jaimie decided to tell her the first time we had sex and it was electrifying, and looked at me like ahah. 'And I'm like 'are you f**king OK mate? Like you had an electric shock.' She then went on to explain Jamie's 'other favourite thing to say to journalist.' Sophie said that he would say: 'I love her so much, and…I think she loves me. 'I'm not sure, I'm not sure if she loves me, but I'm pretty sure she hates me.' She then went on to say that she thinks that is the reason why people think they are in a 'fake relationship' because he puts the 'narrative out that I don't love you.' Jamie added: 'Everyone on TikTok thinks I'm gay.' What is a 'coregasm' and how can you achieve one, as Sophie Habboo admits experiencing the saucy gym phenomenon Sophie then went on to talk about how social media users have now got a soft spot for Jamie after he completed his Ultra Marathon which saw him run an astonishing 150 miles. They then went on to ask each other if they think of themselves as 'sex icons.' Sophie explained that she is sure that some people think he is, before Jamie then quipped in and said that he believes Sophie thinks of herself as sexy. Talking to Sophie, Jamie said: 'You told me once..'l was in a club once, and I heard people talking next to me. 5 Jamie completed an Ultra Marathon this year Credit: Getty 5 The pair gave an insight into their relationship on their Newlyweds podcast Credit: YouTube/NewlyWeds 5 Jamie spoke about being a 'sex icon' Credit: YouTube/NewlyWeds Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing - relationship timeline MADE In Chelsea stars Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo said I Do in 2023. Here's their love story. The couple first met while appearing in the E4 show Made In Chelsea. During a trip to South Africa, which aired towards the end of MIC series 17, Jamie began to realise he had feelings for Sophie. The couple first got together in 2019 but endured a number of obstacles including a cheating scandal during the same year, as he slept with Rosi Mai Waldon while the pair were exclusively dating. Rosi Mai Waldon Jamie and Sophie managed to successfully put the past behind them and announced their engagement in 2021. They had a London wedding in April 2023. Shortly after, Jamie and Sophie flew to Spain to get married at the Marbella Club surrounded by 200 guests . 'It was a couple of guys and they were in the cubical and they were talking about the fact that Sophie Habboo was in the club.' He also asked Sophie if she thinks he is good looking, to which she replied: 'Yes I am married to you you weirdo.' Jamie added: 'Do you think I'm sexy?' Sophie replied: 'I did when we were dating and I do now. But you show your bum crack to me. That isn't sexy.' But Jamie replied: 'I've seen your a***hole, I've seen you poop and I still find you sexy. I find you the sexiest thing on this earth.'
