BORDERER Chris Laidlaw has completed his epic 12 in 12 marathon challenge for charity – raising more than £23,000.

The money is being shared between three organisation: the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation; Marie Curie; and Alzheimer’s Scotland.

The 31-year-old from Jedburgh set out on running one marathon each month in 2021 on New Year’s Day and finished his selfless mission on Hogmanay.

Watched by wife Alanah; children Struan and Ivy; his dad, the former Scotland and Lions scrum-half Roy Laidlaw; and a host of family and friends, Chris set out from Meggetland on a route which would take him into Edinburgh City Centre via the Union Canal.

He then headed out towards Ratho before retracing his steps and looping back to Meggetland where he was given a rousing welcome by former Boroughmuir team-mates Johnny Matthews and Archie Russell among many others.

“It was tough today, just over five hours,” Laidlaw, a Scottish Rugby Academy coach, said. “Knowing it was the last one and just really wanting to get to the finish made it emotional and hard.

“The support today, like all the other marathons, has been unbelievable. I don’t think I would have been able to get through it without that support, so to those who ran alongside me, part of the way, or cycled, or just popped up to cheer me on, a huge thank you.”

Among those who ran with Chris in the final challenge was Scottish Rugby’s welfare manager Stuart Dow, who completed his first marathon.

Referee Hollie Davidson and Scotland women’s stand-off Helen Nelson joined the runners on the last section from Edinburgh’s Meadows to Meggetland.

Chris added: “There’s a hot tub with my name on it that I’m desperate to get to now. Would I do any more marathons? No, not at this stage. Marathons are definitely off the script.

“But what I do take from this is that when you have such a purpose, a higher purpose, to do something, then you can pretty much do anything with the right support network.”

Last word to dad Roy, who could not resist in joining in at stages along the route.

He said: “I’m proud of him. He’s done really well, and it’s been great to see the support he’s had too.”

To donate to the cause, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/12in12in21