He may be a fitness instructor but even Ian Harkness knows that everyone has a limit - and says the London Marathon may well prove to be his.

The 29-year-old is about to embark on the biggest challenge of his life, but has a special reason for doing it that he hopes will get him round. 

Ian will be running in memory of his wife's younger brother, Garry Matthews, who died suddenly, aged 14, because of an undetected heart condition. 

To help him through, his friend and fellow gym instructor at Carlisle's Sands Centre, Stephen Weston, 31, will be running with him. 

Although Stephen has run it twice, the last time was six years ago. 

For Ian, attempting the London Marathon has been a dream.  Having raised money for Cardiac Risk in the Young before, the charity got him a marathon place. 

He is now calling on people to sponsor him, and hopes to give the charity £1,500. 

Ian and Stephen, who both live in Harraby, have been training four times a week. 

Ian, who lives with his partner Sarah and daughter Maizie, aims to do one fundraising event for CRY every year and also supported the Cumberland News' Have a Heart Appeal, helping to bring new heart scanning technology to north Cumbria's hospitals. 

Training sessions for the Great Cumbrian Run will start on May 11.  They are particularly aimed at new runners who want to build themselves up. 

Anyone interested or wanting to sponsor Ian can call the Sands Centre fitness centre on 01228 635 625.