A Manx woman is set to run in the Loch Ness Marathon, dressed as the mythical monster who lives in its waters.

Lucy Mann, aged 24, from Douglas, is running the marathon this Sunday (October 6), along the shore of the world famous loch, to raise money for Hypopara UK.

The route will take runners from near Knockie Lodge along 26.2 miles up to just outside of Inverness.

She told the Examiner that this is her ’third and final’ marathon and the inflatable Nessie outfit is a fittingly ’ridiculous costume’.

Lucy added: ’I thought it would be funny yet super challenging to encourage people to donate.’

Hypopara UK help to support and challenge medical research on hypoparathyroidism, where the parathyroid glands don’t produce enough PTH hormone which causes complications including low calcium levels.’

Lucy said: ’It is a rare condition which is currently incurable and it so happens that two of my closest friends suffer from the condition hence why I’m raising money for this charity as I’ve seen how it can affect people first hand.’

There are two types of hypoparathyroidism one more common where it’s happened via thyroid surgery and the parathyroid gland has been clipped. The other is a primary illness, the cause of which is unknown and very rare.

Lucy wants to raise £2,000 for the charity, which she says is ’rather ambitious’ but with a costume that will double her body heat, she’s certainly putting in the maximum effort.

Lucy added: ’Any donation is so greatly appreciated!

’To be honest I’ll just be so happy to make it across the finish line and to raise awareness for the condition and charity.

’The time isn’t my main target but if I can do it under five hours I’ll be happy.’

Residents have a chance to see Lucy in her Nessie outfit this evening (Tuesday) as she gets some extra training in on Douglas promenade.

Visit Lucy’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/runnessie.