Highland League football boss Steven Mackay will set off from Wick today in a bid to complete the equivalent of four marathons in 24 hours.

The 39-year-old manager of Highland League champions Brora Rangers is aiming to raise £20,000 for MFR Cash for Kids by running all the way to Inverness – a distance of 104.8 miles.

Steven is due to set off at 3pm from Wick Academy’s Harmsworth Park and plans to finish at Bught Park in the Highland capital.

Last year the former Ross County player completed an 80-mile run from Inverness to Brora’s Dudgeon Park in around 18.5 hours, raising more than £17,000 for Cash for Kids.

“I’ve had the 100-mile target in my mind for a while and I liked the football connection along the route between our rivals Wick Academy and Inverness, where I’ve lived," Steven said.

“I’m apprehensive – it won’t be easy. But I’m ready to give it my best shot.”

MFR Cash for Kids helps disadvantaged children in the north of Scotland.

Among those to benefit from last year's fundraiser was Max Ainsworth, a 12-year-old Brora fan with cerebral palsy.

A clunky old NHS wheelchair meant Max was often unable to join twin brother Milo, also a sufferer but more mobile, when playing on local beaches.

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Some of money went towards buying a specialist £4000 wheelchair that has given Max much greater freedom.

Steven says he will never forget the beaming smile on the lad’s face when he met him in his new chair.

Having clocked up just under 2000 miles in training since October 2019, Steven is no stranger to the challenges of ultra-running.

Nevertheless, this latest quest is a step into the unknown.

“Last year’s event was strange because I didn’t enjoy a lot of it at all – I actually hated it at times,” he admitted.

“But the feeling of accomplishing it, the support I got, and then seeing where the money raised was spent, propelled me on to think, ‘What’s next?’

“Seeing how Max and others have benefited is what drives me on."

Steven will be accompanied in marathon-length stages by former team-mates Craig Campbell, David Hind, Richie Hart and Don Cowie as well as ex-Wick players Sam Mackay and Nigel Mackenzie.

“A marathon was minimum buy-in,” Steven revealed. “I’m grateful for the support. It is difficult asking people to donate again 12 months on and that’s why I felt the challenge had to be more deserving of donations.

“Last year, I left myself a bit of a buffer time-wise. This year, there’s little margin for error.

“It is a big step into the unknown for me. Without sounding silly, running up to 50 miles is relatively straightforward. Going beyond that is where it all becomes very psychological but that’s the challenge I really enjoy.”

Those wishing to support the fundraiser can do so at www.cashforkidsgive.co.uk/campaign/steven-mackay-2021-challenge/fundraisers/steven-mackay

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