Former Airdrie and Albion Rovers star Scott McLaughlin is helping boost fitness and mental health during lockdown after his run challenges proved to be a viral hit.
The 36-year-old started posting his 5K run times to social media to build his personal motivation to go out and take on a run.
The midfielder admits it has grown into a “community” with people sharing their own times and also taking on the ‘Scotty 1K Challenge’ including the likes of Scotland cap Robert Snodgrass and Celtic defender Greg Taylor.
McLaughlin said: “It’s been amazing to see it grow, especially with folk that said they couldn’t run or walk or do anything because they maybe had low self-esteem or suffering with anxiety.
“People had put on weight, or lost a lot of weight, but we found something to get them out there.
“When I first posted the 5K’s people would message me saying ‘I wish I could run’ and I would message back saying you
can run, but just build yourself into a run or go a walk.
“I started with the ‘Scotty 1K Challenge’ because it’s something most people can do.
“It wasn’t a competition, you didn’t have to run or beat somebody, do something most people can do. Get out in the fresh air and take a picture at the end and we’ll share it.”
McLaughlin, who was speaking as part of Lanarkshire Live Sport's Tackle The Shutdown campaign, says it has helped boost his mental and emotional well-being after his job as a personal trainer has been put on hold, along with the football season at Stenhousemuir.
“I actually build my day about my run,” he continued. “ I run later at night so I don’t eat rubbish and drink plenty of water rather than slobbing about.
“It’s been hard, and some people will find it harder than others, but I’m just trying my best to keep others as motivated as possible.
“People message me and I’m not an expert but I can give them some guidance for what has helped me.
“I set my goal to get my time under 18 minutes for my 5K and I’ve done that, and I ran a marathon.
“It could be something so small but for that person it’s big. If you want to have a competition, have it with yourself and not others. It shows you that people of all ages can do things and motivate themselves.”
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