Fife businessman, Jim Parker, has just completed the London Marathon and in doing so, has a Guinness World Record certificate to boot! Now he’s setting his sights on a higher challenge … all driven by deeply personal reasons in support of Parkinson’s UK.

Jim ran the London Marathon in memory of his father – also Jim – who died two years ago after “a long and devastating battle” with Parkinson’s disease.

We caught up with Jim at his office – Fife Properties on Bonnygate – to discover what drives him, and what challenges he plans for the coming year.

Peak condition?

It was just six weeks before the London Marathon when Jim found that he got a place to run. “I wasn’t really prepared and hadn’t been expecting to run, but when the charity told me they had a space, I went for it.”

He was already signed up for the upcoming Edinburgh Marathon … so this was “a bonus“! He adds: “It wasn’t about the time. I knew I wouldn’t be fast as the preparation was out of kilter with my programme for Edinburgh, but it gave me the opportunity to do it, to raise funds and awareness … and to think about ‘what next?’”

He was “blown away” by the experience, saying: “It is such an extraordinary run. I saw people running in costumes dressed as the Eiffel Tower, a Phone Box, a Fridge … there was even a Pipe Band running. There is definitely a ‘wall’ but I managed to push through that thinking – just a couple of 5Ks to go! That mindset helped but it was really tough as it was so warm. When I finished, I was caked in salt from sweating in the heat … and then had to make a dash from the finish line to Heathrow to catch my flight home!”

In memory …

Jim has undertaken many charity challenges over the years – turning his love of running and climbing into proactive fundraising for good causes.

When he lost his Dad to Parkinson’s in 2024, he switched his focus to support the UK charity. He explains: “There’s no cure. For anyone who has lost a loved one to Parkinson’s they know how hard that is – for the one you lose and for those left behind. There may not be a cure now but I want to do all I can to help those who are researching and working hard to find one and to support those impacted by the disease.”

Many will remember Jim’s Dad who ran a local window cleaning business. When younger, Jim worked for his Dad and recalls cleaning many-a-window on local businesses through Cupar’s town centre. The two are pictured below in a “treasured photo“.

Next up?

Beyond the Edinburgh Marathon (on Sunday 24th May), Jim is turning his sights to unique challenges – building on what he has achieved to date. It is only a few months since Jim’s last charity challenge when he summited Mount Kilimanjaro – again, in support of Parkinson’s UK.

He says: “When you think about what people living with Parkinson’s face every day — a progressive, incurable disease that slowly takes away movement and independence — suddenly taking on charity climbs and runs doesn’t seem like such a big challenge.“

Early next year, Jim flies to South America and will climb the highest peak on the American continent – Aconcagua at 6,967 meters. This will be a “taster” for what he sees as his ultimate challenge – the Everest Ultra Marathon which he intends to tackle in May 2027. He explains: “It is a 16-day walk into Base Camp where you are then assessed for running. Depending on your state, you can either run a half, full marathon or the ultra at 42 miles. I want to try and take on the ultra but it will depend 100% on how I am at that altitude.” In preparation, he will take on the William Wallace Ultra Marathon this October.

No doubts …

Jim is in no doubt that the challenges ahead will be tough – but he keeps his sights on the charity adding: “Watching someone you love slowly lose control of their body over more than a decade is something you never get over.” He told us: “Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. It affects around 166,000 people in the UK and in the next few years, that figure expected to rise as the population ages. A new diagnosis is made every 20 minutes.”

It was on his Kilimanjaro climb that the thought of mortality hit him. He explains: “We’d been hit by a blizzard. Everything was frozen. Some climbers had icicles hanging off their eye lashes. I remember the guide telling me to keep dead straight ahead as if I stepped to one side I could fall and die. I asked him to take a photo of me in those conditions as I thought ‘if this is it’ I’d like the moment captured! It was the toughest thing I have done but I am so glad I summited – and thank you to all who supported me then and now.”

Please donate …

If you are able to make a donation to Jim’s fund raising, please click on the image below.

 

Funds raised will support Parkinson’s UK and Parkinson’s UK in Scotland’s work in funding research, improving care, and supporting families affected by the disease.

 

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