Glasgow Woman Tackles the Great Scottish Run in Honour of Her Mum

Zoe Kennedy didn’t need to look far for inspiration as she took on the Great Scottish Run on Sunday.

The 50-year-old, who works for the family business Dalziel Ltd, decided to lace up her running shoes after her fitness fanatic mum, Trish Dalziel, died last year.

Family members cheered her on at every mile stage along the route and her mum was never far from her thoughts.

Zoe said: “My mum very sadly passed away on September 26th last year. Even though she was 77 she was a very active lady and very young at heart. 

“Mum had suffered a TIA when she was 57 and had a couple of them. She died of a seizure in the end but it was caused by a stroke. 

“She was coming back from the gym and had a sore head and that was it, it was a real shock because she had so much life left in her. 

“She went without pain and that brings some comfort in a way but she left a big hole behind and she’s fondly missed.” 

Trish was a keen runner herself having ran the Santa Dash at the age of 72. She also attended spinning classes five times a week and her healthy lifestyle continued on her holidays where she would go for a run every other day. 

Zoe added: I thought she’d appreciate me doing a run for her and for charity and CHSS ticked all of the boxes. 

“I used to jog a little bit but my mum was the sporty one and we took after her. All of us are sporty. She was an inspiration. She was very dedicated, when she wanted to do something that was it and I suppose that’s what she’s taught me. I decided in January I’m going to do something to raise money and I’m going to run the half marathon. I didn’t miss one training session – which is an achievement in itself – and I wanted to be the best and raise as much money as possible. 

“All of my family, my work have supported me a lot and even my mum’s spin class have sponsored me so I’ve had a lot of people supporting me. That’s what drives you to put the running shoes on because people are supporting you. It’s been great and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.” 

Louise MacLeod, Community, Events and Corporate Fundraiser for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “We want to say a massive thank you to Zoe for her phenomenal fundraising for CHSS and a huge congratulations in completing the challenging Great Scottish Run half marathon. 

“The funds raised will help us to support the 1 in 5 people across the country who are living with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live their lives to the full.”     

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is committed to reaching 175,000 people living with its conditions across Scotland a year by 2028 through its Community Healthcare Support Services.   

To support Zoe’s fundraiser please go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/zoe-kennedy-1721640213278. 

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text NURSE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.