Katie Banks, 28, of Dalston, is set to take on the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon in April – but the furthest distance she has completed to date is five miles.
Katie, one of the university’s international co-ordinators based at its Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle, is running for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Her sister Stefanie Nixon, 31, has cystic fibrosis (CF), and Stefanie’s four-year-old twin sons Joshua and Daniel also carry the gene.
“I enjoy taking on a challenge and having a focus, and this seemed like one of the biggest challenges that I could undertake,” said Katie.
“My sister is very inspirational – I am so proud of her. She lives life to the full, got married earlier this year and has twin four-year-old sons who keep her very busy.
“I want to run the marathon to raise as much money as I can for cystic fibrosis, to help find a cure so that other people with cystic fibrosis can live a life unlimited.”
Stefanie, of Halton Lea Gate near Brampton, said: “When I received a phone call from my younger sister to inform me she was intending to run the London marathon for CF all I felt was emotion. The fact that she wanted to run for a cause so close to her heart was fantastic to hear.”
To prepare for the big day, Katie is getting help from colleagues based in the university’s sports centre.
Katie Banks Luke Russell from the centre has encouraged Katie to join the University of Cumbria’s Road Runners. She heads out with them every Wednesday tea-time as part of her training.
Through a structured programme Luke is confident Katie will develop from a basic level of fitness to running the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles by April 23.
He said: “As this is Katie’s first marathon, we are looking to focus on her getting round the course in one piece rather than setting a goal time for her to reach.”
Katie, who lives with her parents Colin and Helen and younger sister Jenny, is also getting support from fellow musicians at the Border Concert Band as she raises sponsorship towards her £2,500 target.
A keen flautist, Katie joined the Border Concert Band last March. The band will be performing special events during the first few months of the year to help increase Katie’s fundraising total.
They include a concert at St Michael’s Church, Dalston, on March 11.
Katie’s online fundraising page is at
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