Two cousins are set to run their first half marathon together after one of them underwent a triple heart bypass.

Steve and Darren Nicholls will run the Wrexham half marathon next weekend, just over a year after Darren, 48, had a serious heart attack.

In February last year, Darren, from Charnock Richard, suffered a cardiac arrest after completing the Couch to 5K challenge.

Incredibly, he completed his first half-marathon on January 7 this year, just 313 days since his operation.

Now he has turned to his cousin Steve, who runs ultra-marathons and is a member of Wrexham Triathlon Club, for help in getting a new personal best at the Wrexham half marathon on Sunday, March 11.

Steve, 44, who lives on the Fairways estate off Holt Road, will be pacing Darren round the 13.1 mile course.

He said: "We hadn't been in contact for many years until the heart problem occurred last year.

"Since then we have been in regular contact planning out his challenges for 2018. He has already completed multiple 10k races and also half marathons.

"However, we have chosen Wrexham half because it’s a fast course, the local support is fantastic and I had already decided I was going to be running in it.

"The race will be a great opportunity for Darren to set a personal best. The plan is for me to pace him to a PB, although the way he has been running, I may struggle to keep up with him."

Darren is planning to race in the Manchester Marathon in April and will be racing in his first triathlon in Southport in May shortly followed by another triathlon in Whitchurch two weeks later.

Steve added: "He is a total inspiration and not only is he not letting the heart surgery stop him, he is raising awareness and money to help others in the future.

"I'd ask the local supporters to please look out for him on the day and give him a shout out."

Darren is also fundraising for Heartbeat, an organisation which helps people suffering from heart disease to rebuild their lives.

To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/darren-nicholls3