Runner's Commonwealth hopes in memory of Dad

Keen runner Nicki Aitken is hoping her fundraising efforts in aid of Windsor's hospice will be the first step towards victory in the Commonwealth Games. 

Nicki, 29, of Copper Beech Close, Windsor, had not run competitively for several years. But when her dad Gordon died last November after being cared for at the hospice in Hatch Lane she decided to run three half marathons in 2008 to raise cash for the charity Thames Hospicecare that runs it. 

Now with two of the runs completed and just one left to go, Nicki  has been approached by the Scottish Athletics Federation. Her dad and mum were both Scottish and the Federation wants her to qualify to run the marathon for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Nicki came fifth in the Burnham Beeches Half Marathon on August 17 and in the Windsor Half Marathon, which was on September 21.
Her third challenge was originally planned to be another half marathon, but because of the Commonwealth Games potential, Nicki is now planning on running the Abingdon Marathon on October 19 instead. 

Nicki said: “It would be a dream come true to gain Scottish representative honours and I know dad would have been so proud to see me running in Scotland colours!” 

To sponsor Nicki Aitken please visit www.justgiving.com/nicnac.

Anyone interested in getting involved in running events for Thames Hospicecare should email susan.blues@thameshospicecare.org.uk or call 08456 128812.

Pictured: Nikki and her father at the London Marathon.