A schoolgirl has defied odds by breaking five running records despite her asthma.
Erin Burnett also suffers from a dysfunctional breathing condition but refuses to let it hold her back.
The 12-year-old, from Bearsden, has secured five record times in the 11-14-year-old girls category and hopes to eventually beat all 26 parkrun times in her age group across Scotland.
She hopes to raise money during the ambitious challenge in aid of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Erin is already a member of Glasgow Triathlon Club, Garscube Harriers and Milngavie and Bearsden Swimming Club, and is excited to take on the significant goal.
Erin, who attends Boclair Academy, said: “Although my asthma and breathing issues do make running more difficult, I have medication and treatments as well as physio exercises which all help. Running and doing triathlons are my passions.
“My ambition is to one day be one of the best runners in Scotland so I thought it would be a great challenge to beat all of the records in Scotland while raising funds for CHAS at the same time.”
The aspiring young athlete recently won bronze in the 200 metre under-13 girls category at the Scottish Athletics Indoor Championships and took home gold in the 3k race at the Scottish Athletics Youth National Road Championships in March.
She also set a new British under-13 girls record for one mile at the Monument Mile race in Stirling earlier this year.
Erin’s dad, Steve Burnett, said: “I’m so proud of Erin for constantly pushing herself to be the best runner and athlete she can be.
“The goal is to try and achieve half of the records this year and go for the rest next year.
"A few of the records are particularly hard to beat as the girls who set them were the best in the country at the time. Erin will do her best though and hopefully raise some money for CHAS along the way.”
Mairead MacLeod, CHAS community fundraiser, added: “We are so grateful to Erin for choosing to donate the funds raised through this incredible challenge to CHAS to help us continue to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families across Scotland.
"We wish her the very best of luck!”
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