ECHO advertising adviser Marie Stuart is set to joining the fundraisers running the Race for Life in Poole Park this Sunday.

Self-confessed non-runner Marie, 37, has been training hard for the event after she was challenged to do it by pal Sam Fry from Canford Heath, who ran this year’s London Marathon.

It is part of a deal between the two to challenge themselves to do something they don’t normally with Sam, who is also running the Race For Life, promising to write a children’s story to keep up her end of the bargain.

Marie, who has been with the Echo for almost a decade and works in the Poole Office, said she decided to give it a go after helping her friend train for the marathon, riding a bike alongside her.

She added: “We’re getting over two fears – I can’t run and she can’t write, and we also trying to help beat cancer after Sam’s stepdad died from cancer and her dad has cancer.”

While taking part in a race might be a first for Marie – she is no stranger to sporting events having turned out as a helper for the Olympic Games, and she will soon join the team of volunteers at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she has been chosen to assist as a field of play marshal with a cycling event and a road race.

She added: “I’m no runner – but I do like to get involved and support sporting events.”

Support Marie at www.justgiving.com/mariesrunningraceforlife