Member Article

It’s all about the blog

When leading IT specialist Epson put out a call for new product testers, they were inundated with applicants. They were only looking for 300 testers worldwide, so the selection process was tight.

Epson are launching a new running GPS watch and have been searching for a variety of people to test the product and write online reviews. They have only selected 100 people from the United Kingdom and local lad Ian McAllister is one.

Ian has this year embarked on a monumental challenge to raise money for the Newcastle Healthcare Child Bereavement charity by running in various events throughout the Country leading up to an Ultra Marathon along the St Cuthberts Way in July.

Ian puts his selection as an Epson tester down to the stunning scenery in which he has been running which includes Simonside Forest, Kielder Water and the Northumbrian Coast.

“When Epson put the call out for product testers I was keen to showcase the fantastic places that we have to offer so have committed to not only test the product but blog about it on the way. In the last couple of weeks I have competed in a Duathlon at Keilder and found myself lost in the dark up Simonside, so I’m sure Epson will get more than they bargained for with my blog!”

Ian hasn’t always been a runner – until he met his friend Stacey at the end of the Great North Run in 2014 he had never been inclined to take part. “The feeling of envy at Stacey’s achievement made me realise that I wanted a bit of that and immediately signed up – and was accepted – for the following year. I then thought “in for a penny, in for a pound” and signed up for the 62.5 mile Ultra in July and as many official events as I can squeeze in along the way!”

“A lot of my friends think I’m having a midlife crisis, but I’m just trying to test myself and raise as much money as I can along the way for a cause that is very close to my heart.”

Ian has said that he is always keen to go out running and explore new routes and welcomes any offers of running that get thrown at him. Together with his friends James and Andy they have formed an informal running club who meet every Sunday at 8am outside the Running Fox in Felton who’s motto is “the more the merrier!”. “The Running Fox have been fabulous and have offered a free cup of tea or coffee at the end of our run – we just make sure we don’t leave mud from our shoes behind!”

If you would like to find out more about Ian’s running, fundraising or the Foxy Runners then please visit www.ianmcallister.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by lazy grace .