East Kilbride man set to take on Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon this year in support of motor neuron disease charity

Callum Steell, 34, will take on the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon on 10 October 2026 in support of MND Scotland, and for his mother, Karen, who is living with motor neuron disease.

Callum lives with his wife, Clare, and works in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, for Charles Tennant – a leading independent chemical manufacturer.

In June 2024, Callum’s mother, Karen, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND).

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal neurological illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This causes muscle weakness and wasting. MND can rob someone of the ability to walk, talk, swallow, and breathe.

Speaking about his mother’s diagnosis, Callum said, “My mum had been struggling with her speech and mobility for some time. It took about two and a half years of tests, and various hospital and doctor appointments before they could get to the bottom of it.”

MND affects everyone differently. A person may not develop all the symptoms, and their symptoms may progress at a different rate to someone else with MND.

Following her MND diagnosis, Karen made adaptations to her home, including her bed-room and bathroom, to make things a bit easier going forward. She’s also had a recliner installed at home, has been reviewing wheelchair options, and banked her voice.

Callum said, “My mum is still able to get out and about and do plenty, which we are extremely grateful for, because we know others aren’t as fortunate. But we know how quickly things can change.”

In support of his mum and other families affected by MND, Callum will take on the GB Ultra Marathon event from Glasgow to Edinburgh on 10 October to help raise funds for MND Scotland.

He said, “It starts at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, just along from the West End, and then heads out the canal roads and finishes at Saughton Sports Complex, just on the outskirts of Edinburgh.”

Callum has been following a vigorous training routine to help prepare for the challenge, “I’m trying to build up the distance as much as possible each week. I’m currently running between 60km per week and at my peak the week out from the race, that will be up to nearly 85km all in.”

This involves not only long-distance runs, but also strength sessions to keep the muscles as strong as possible. Recovery also fits into that too, all the while balancing a busy work and family life.”

Callum will take in a total of 57miles (92km) and an elevation of 231m as part of the challenge.

Some of Callum’s friends from the gym he attends took part in the Ultra Marathon last year in the hope of completing a personal challenge. This gave him the idea to take part for his mum and to help raise vital funds for MND Scotland to help other families affect-ed by the disease and to support MND research.

This isn’t the first time Callum has raised funds for MND Scotland. In 2025, he participated in and completed the Manchester Marathon and helped to raise £2,000 for MND Scotland.

Callum said, “I have had a personal trainer for the last couple of years now. I’ve always been quite competitive, so I want to try and complete it in as best a time as possible.

“My mum is always so proud that I’m, taking on the challenge, which is so nice to hear.”

MND Scotland would like to thank Callum for his support in the upcoming Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra Marathon and wish him the best of luck in his training.

If you would like to support his challenge by donating, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/callum-steell-2.

To make time count for families affected by MND by taking on your own challenge and help raise funds, please visit www.mndscotland.org.uk or email: fundraising@mnscotland.org.uk for more information.