AN endurance athlete from Galashiels has just completed his toughest challenge.

Ewan Andrew is used to tackling miles and mountains.

But the 42-year-old company boss took part in the Edinburgh Ultra Marathon last weekend - and every step was in memory of his late father.

Ewan's dad was well-known Galashiels dentist Bill Andrew.

For more than 30 years Bill had welcomed patients to his Roxburgh Street surgery.

But following a six year battle with the rare bone marrow disorder, myelofibrosis, he died at the start of October.

Just three weeks later Ewan completed the gruelling ultra marathon around the Scottish capital - and raised more than £5,000 for the Margaret Kerr Unit in memory of his father.

Ewan told the Border Telegraph: "Throughout my dad's illness I have been doing fundraisers towards research into myelofibrosis.

"I knew my dad was going to pass and I asked him if he wanted me to raise more money for research with my upcoming run in Edinburgh or if he wanted me to do it for something different.

"He said that he wanted me to do it for the people who had cared for him at the Margaret Kerr Unit.

"The Margaret Kerr Unit and the wider BGH staff did an amazing job treating and comforting dad, as well as mum and our wider family.

"I’d like to do all I can to bring awareness and gratitude to their work."

Myelofibrosis is a rare bone marrow disorder that disrupts the normal production of blood cells.

It leads to severe anemia as well as weakness, fatigue and often an enlarged spleen which causes further discomfort.

Treatments for myelofibrosis can include chemotherapy, stem cell transplant and blood transfusion.

Ewan, who trained with his schoolfriends Dave Paterson and Keith Wilson to prepare for the 34 miles and 3,000 feet of climbing at the Edinburgh Ultra, raised around £2,600.

And the international drinks company Diageo, who Ewan is a managing director for in Edinburgh, agreed to match every penny.

The dad-of-three added: "I have run ultras before and I've completed ironman triathlons but this was the toughest race I've ever done because I knew I was running it for my dad.

"I'd like to thank all of the people who supported me and also to Diageo for matching my fundraising."

Despite the emotion, Ewan, who used to play rugby for Gala, finished the race in 43rd place out of the 400 starters with a time of 5.50 hours.

He will continue to raise both funds towards research into myelofibrosis with future endurance events.

Ewan's next challenge will be the Machu Picchu Marathon next year in the Peruvian Andes.