A KNUTSFORD fitness fanatic is challenging himself to complete 12 marathons in 12 months for a charity he set up following a trip to Africa.

Sam Yates, 33, will be raising funds for LivLife during the challenge and his adventure started last weekend at Anytime Fitness, the new gym that opened in Canute Place in January

He completed his first marathon in three hours and 19 minutes at the gym.

In 2004, Sam spent three months in Tanzania with the Maasai tribe and upon his return, he was so inspired that he set up a small education based charity in Tanzania called Livlife.

The charity, which has been running for 10 years, provides free education to poor and rural areas of Tanzania, as well as pre-school/kindergarten aged children, vocational training and links to local employment.

Sophie Hoyle, director of Anytime Fitness, said: “Sam is undertaking his marathons all across the world from England to France to Australia and we are delighted that the first of his 12 marathons was held at Anytime Fitness in Knutsford.

“Sam has been training hard at the club over the past few weeks and we were delighted to support him at the start of his epic 12 months of marathons.

“All of the staff and members of the gym are so proud of Sam’s passion and dedication to such a fantastic cause.”

If you would like to support Sam’s charity LivLife, you can sponsor him at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SamYates8 .

For more information about Anytime Fitness, please call 01565 765247.