Alan Soutar will make his Paddy Power World Darts Championship return later this month, but he's also taking on a major challenge away from the oche – the 2026 London Marathon – for a cause close to his heart.
The 47-year-old, who is also a full-time firefighter as well as a professional darts player, is running into new territory by taking on the London Marathon in support of Guide Dogs Scotland.
Despite his active lifestyle, the Scotsman is not a regular runner, but he is taking on the 26.2 miles as a personal challenge with his wife, Amanda.
“As a 47-year-old, it’s a bit of a leap of faith into the unknown after 20 years of not doing any running,” said Soutar.
“We’re going to do it for Guide Dogs Scotland. We’ve both got in via the ballot, and both got a place in the London Marathon next year.
“To do it for guide dogs is important to my family and everyone that supports us in Scotland, so it’s a cool charity.
“Also, it’s a kick up the bum to get fitter and do something for somebody else – that’s the main thing.”
Soutar and his wife have been raising puppies to become guide dogs for over eight years, taking a new puppy each year and training them as they grow up.
After training, the dogs are returned to the national training centre to become a guide dog, to help blind and partially sighted people.
“Amanda and I can change people’s lives by doing that,” recognised Soutar.
“You’re giving someone that’s lost their sight a bit of freedom and their independence back. Any life we can affect in a positive way, I’m going to do everything I can to do it.
“We’re on guide dog number eight now, we got him in mid-November and he’s 16-weeks-old. He’s lots of fun, but the training has only just started!”
“I’ve always been someone that wants to give something back. I live a nice life, I’ve been around the world, so it’s now time to give back to somebody else.”
Soutar will open his fourth World Championship campaign with a tie against PDC Nordic & Baltic Championship winner Teemu Harju on Tuesday December 16.
The Scot, who progressed to the last 16 in each of his first two Ally Pally appearances, could then take on European Champion Gian van Veen if he overcomes the Finnish number one.