Siblings from Braddan will run side by side in the London Marathon this year.

Corrie Thom and John James (known as JJ) Cooper will be running for charities Oxfam and Crohns and Colitis UK in the 26.2 mile race on April 26.

The pair have completed a number of Parish Walks together as well as the 26.2 mile Moonwalk London Charity Walk.

Corrie, 42, who now lives in London, said: ’I’ve finished the Parish Walk three times and my brother, who 37 and currently lives in Guernsey, has finished it four times.

’He got me into it. We walk together and drive each other mad.

’I also do the Moonwalk in London where you walk at midnight wearing a decorated, crazy bra. For the past two years I’ve dragged my brother into that.’

She added that they are close as siblings, but it’s also the ’family competitiveness’ that prompts them to take on challenges together.

Last year, the sister and brother pair finished the 26.2 -mile Moonwalk in six hours.

’We thought: "If we can finish this walk in six hours, what would it be like to finish it running?".

’We’ve both been training. I couldn’t even run for a bus before, but we’re both very competitive with each other and text one another what miles we’ve done every day. My daughter is keeping a chart on us.’

Corrie has also taken up karate to build her fitness after being inspired by her children.

’I’m on the same belt colour as my seven-year-old son,’ she said.

The London Marathon is an event she and her family take great interest in. They find a spot to watch the action with her children motivating the runners with hand-made signs.

’The kids now bring a checklist where they spot the first person in a rhino outfit, the first Superman, a man carrying a fridge and Jesus with a cross,’ she added.

She admits that the marathon will be ’really hard’, but the support will spur her on like it does in the Parish Walk.

’The first time I finished the Parish Walk was a massive achievement. I had done it before and got to Peel and Bride, but when I got past Maughold it felt like I was on a home stretch,’ she said.

’After Maughold there is a house that is lit up like Christmas with people still drinking and kids who have gone to bed have left messages for us in chalk.’

What makes the Parish Walk special is that ’it’s ours’, she added.

’It’s the Isle of Man and you get to see the whole of it. I miss the Isle of Man so much being away.

’It’s an emotional sensory overload and it’s about seeing if you can finish it again.

’It’s a great day with amazing support and I always bump into old school mates along the way.’

For more details, search: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/corriethom1/ and www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-cooper31/