A RUNNER from Oxford will be taking on the Loch Ness Marathon to raise awareness of stomach cancer.

A number of Andrew Linstead’s family opted for preventative surgery and had their stomachs removed after testing positive for the CHD1 cancer gene.

Thirty-three-year-old Mr Linstead was one of the lucky family members who tested negative.

Now, to highlight the impact of the disease, Mr Linstead will be travelling north of the border to run the gruelling challenge alongside his cousins and uncles who have undergone a total gastrectomy.

The group, some of whom will be travelling from the USA, will be raising funds for the non-profit group No Stomach For Cancer.

Mr Linstead, who works as an optimisation specialist at the BMW Mini Plant, said: “What the Loch Ness Marathon means to me personally is a celebration of life with my family and friends.

“I also want to raise money for a charity that is researching a cure for a type of genetic stomach cancer that has taken members of my family in the UK and America.

“It has also caused others to have their stomach removed at a young age to prevent the disease developing.

“Some of these are running the marathon with the added challenge this causes in nutrition and energy intake.

“Family from America and England are making a big effort to come together to do this.”

Mr Linstead and his family will be running the 17th annual Baxters Loch Ness Marathon on September 23.

The 26.2-mile route will follow the world famous Loch, starting between Fort Augustus and Foyers then continuing through the Highlands, along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness before finishing in Inverness.

Mr Linstead said the monster challenge that awaits them is helping to bring the family together.

He said: “The banter on our Facebook site is amusing between the group members. It is character building, bonding and inspiring, but we also have a strong and irreverent sense of humour, taking the mickey out of each other along the way.”

Family member Camden Linstead, who has had his stomach removed, will be travelling more than 4,000 miles from Greenville, South Carolina, to run the marathon.

He added: “This race is an opportunity for me and my family to get together and raise awareness and funds for a charity that we are so passionate about.

“Sadly I have lost both my father and my aunt to Stomach cancer so we will be running the race for them too.”

To sponsor the Linstead family visit gofundme.com/ae68p4-running-for-a-cause