Two key figures from the 黑料网 and NHS Grampian will take a fundraising campaign closer to the finishing line when they line up as rivals in a gruelling marathon.
Comrades turned competitors Mike Greaves and Roelf Dijkhuizen are in serious training for the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, thought to be one of the UK鈥檚 tougher marathons.
Each is hoping to beat the other but both are united in a common cause 鈥� raising funds for a joint University and NHS development.
The pair hope their challenge will raise cash for the Matthew Hay project which will provide a state-of-the-art medical teaching and learning centre at Foresterhill to teach tomorrow鈥檚 doctors and provide training for health professionals.
In the University鈥檚 corner is 57-year-old Professor Mike Greaves, Head of the School of Medicine, a former long distance and cross country runner.
Contender for NHS Grampian is Medical Director Dr Roelf Dijkhuizen. Roelf (51), is a keen cyclist and is no stranger to running marathons. He fully intends to give Mike a run for his money.
Said the Professor: 鈥淩oelf threw down the gauntlet. He was aware that I used to be a bit of a runner although about four years ago I pretty much hung up my trainers.鈥�
The running shoes are now firmly back on as Professor Greaves is keen to leave his challenger trailing.
He joked: 鈥淥h I鈥檓 going to beat Roelf 鈥� no contest! I鈥檝e been running so much I鈥檝e lost almost a stone!
鈥淚 live out of town so I鈥檓 parking my car on the outskirts of the city most weekdays and running into work and then back again, which is about five miles each way. I鈥檓 also doing a long run at weekends so I guess I鈥檓 averaging well over 60 miles a week.鈥�
Professor Greaves will be delighted if he completes the 26.2 miles in something around three hours. And he will be even happier if the duo鈥檚 exhausting feat raises a stack of cash.
He said: 鈥淚鈥檓 really hoping friends and colleagues dip into their pockets and sponsor Roelf and I, as we want to raise as much money as we can for the Matthew Hay project. Our sponsors can rest assured that as well as supporting a bit of friendly rivalry between the 黑料网 and NHS Grampian they are giving money to what will be a fantastic facility for the North-east.鈥�
Dr Dijkhuizen said: "It is more or less when Mike hung up his running boots four years ago, that I started running. Because I started late, I have seen my marathon times improve until now, but with a personal best of 3.15.58 on the very fast course of Rotterdam, I would be very surprised if I came near the 3 hour mark that Mike is quoting for completing Loch Ness, which is notoriously heavy going."
"The Matthew Hay project will provide training and conference facilities for all clinical staff in NHS Grampian.
鈥淚t is a truly joint project between the 黑料网 and NHS Grampian in terms of funding and design, and will replace the present clinical skills centre at Westburn where we cannot open the windows in fear of them falling out!.
鈥淲e can see from the Children's Hospital, what a difference fund raising can make to the quality of the working and teaching environment. The Matthew Hay project will transform the Foresterhill site and help us to recruit and retain clinical staff in Grampian."
* The Loch Ness marathon takes place on Sunday, October 1. It follows a spectacular point-to-point route through stunning Highland scenery, along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, and then crosses the River Ness to finish in Inverness Queens Park Stadium.
** Professor Greaves and Dr Dijkhuizen have their own fundraising web pages. Sponsor them online at and