DEREK Hawkins is cheerfully outlining the uniquely masochistic attraction of the marathon. How the race dates back to Ancient Greece in 490BC, when Pheidippides ran the 26.2 miles to Athens with news of the great victory his people had just had over the Persians at Marathon, “then dropped dead pretty much right afterwards”. And how all marathon runners can be distinguished in the days immediately following their exertions simply by “the walk”.

This is a happy occasion - the launch of the 2018 Stirling Marathon over a new and improved course, featuring less demoralising late laps in the city centre - but if anyone can speak to the toll this distance takes on the human body it is the elder sibling in this singular Scottish running family. While his younger brother Callum has stolen the headlines in recent times with a ninth place Olympics finish in Rio and a fourth place World Championships finish at the recent London World Championships, there is an argument that in some ways his achievement out in Brazil might have been even more impressive.

Hurrying back to practice after a stress fracture to his sacrum (an awkard little triangular-shaped bone at the base of the spine) just 11 days out from the race, Derek could manage no more than an 11-mile run in training but somehow dragged his aching body over the line for an 114th place finish. That was painful enough without making the mistake of changing into a different brand of trainers from his usual New Balance ones earlier this year, aggravating an Achilles tendon problem which already means he will be unable to participate for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in April.

As disappointed as he clearly is - his realistic target return date is the Frankfurt marathon in October - family offers a source of solace. If he can’t compete in person, then second best is offering his services as a training partner to help his little brother do something extraordinary. The boys’ father Robert is a national coach mentor for middle distance and endurance running with scottishathletics, but another set of eyes doesn’t hurt. “Gold Coast is off the cards for me now, which is disappointing,” said Hawkins. “It would have been good to go and compete, especially with Callum going so well at the moment.

“But it is just part and parcel of running, sometimes you just go through periods where things don’t go your way,” he added. “It has given me a lot of time to start strengthening my ankles and my feet, my lower limbs, an opportunity to put myself in a better position when I do start back again.

“Will I go out to the Gold Coast anyway?” he added. “That is still up for discussion! Callum is trying to work out what the best plan of attack for him is. It could be that I go out to be a training partner for him, it depends on what Callum’s plans are, but I would like to go out. I mean, I have grown up with him. My dad has a very good idea of how he is doing training wise and obviously that is working very well, but Callum trusts my judgement as well. Sometimes it is good to have another set of eyes which Callum - most of the time - takes on board

“We have both been quite fortunate that there has been quite a big family involvement. When we were at school, my mum would work on training nights, or if my dad was working shifts, someone else in the family would drive me into position. Basically it has been a team effort. So if I can play my part and hopefully Callum ends up with a great result then definitely I would take huge satisfaction in that.”

Who will be the main competition? Well, Australia’s Michael Shelley, a native Queenslander, who took Commonwealth Gold in Glasgow, said recently that Callum was favourite, but this analysis ignores the fact that two of three men who finished ahead of the Scot in London, Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya and Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania, are both eligible to take part. So too is a certain Mo Farah, although Callum took his scalp at the Edinburgh cross country last year and for now it appears more likely that Farah will start his marathon career at the London marathon instead.

“He [Shelley] would say that - he is playing down his chances!” says Derek, with the protectiveness you might expect of an older brother. “He is the defending champion and a Gold Coast athlete too. While Shelley might not have a PB as quick as Callum’s he is a canny racer. He ran almost even splits at the Olympics in 2012 when it was scorching hot weather, and he finished like a train in Glasgow.

“When he is fit, he knows exactly how to race and will push Callum hard,” he added. “It all depends who turns up on the day - there was a Kenyan and a Tanzanian who finished ahead of Callum at the worlds and they are both Commonwealth countries. If Simbu turns up, he is going to be a real contender. And it just depends who Kenya bring along.

“As far as I am aware, Mo is going to start doing his marathons next year. He wouldn’t be considered unless he decides to do an Autumn marathon. But it is going to be interesting when they go head to head in future marathons. Who knows when that is going to be. Obviously Callum has a huge respect for him. He is a four time Olympic champion, a million time world champion. He is no’ bad. But at the same time he is not scared of him. If he is fit enough, he will give him a go.

“Callum has more marathons under his belt, so he is more experienced on that front. He has run championship marathons now as well, so if they were ever running head to head his tactical nous is pretty good as well. If he can get his legs moving fast enough then he can hopefully give Mo something to think about. With the way things are going a lot of big city marathons are quite interested in having him. But Callum wants achievements to put beside his name, and medals. Times are below that just now. “