TWO fitness coaches are raising money by cycling the length of the country.

Alex Bates and Chris Holmes, both 25, will ride 100 miles a day for 11 days as they tackle the gruelling John O’Groats to Lands End route for Macmillan Cancer Support and The Prince’s Trust.

The fitness staff at York’s Marriott Hotel are planning to raise £5,000 for charity to cycle the 1,100 miles, leading them to be nominated for The Press’s Community Pride Fundraiser of the Year award by David Russell, director of sales at the four-star venue.

Mr Holmes, a former professional swimmer, said: “When we first heard about it, it was a big surprise and a great source of motivation.

“I had done bits of cycling before but nothing as serious as that.

“I’m completely new to all this. When we started training I could barely do ten miles, now we usually do 80 miles.

“We believe we can do this.”

Mr Russell added: “I think it will be a difficult challenge but they are very determined. They are training every week at the moment to build up for that 100 mile marker.”

The two friends decided to take on the challenge after Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine, underwent an operation on his knee to repair torn cartilage in July last year.

Shortly afterwards, the two coaches were discussing future challenges they wanted to set themselves and committed to cycle from one end of the country to another.

The pair will set off on July 4 and are raising money for the charity officially supported by The Marriott Hotel, The Prince’s Trust.

So far, the two men have raised just over £2,500, mostly through a concert at the Post Office Club in York featuring the local band Supermodels at the end of March. They have also planned a 24-hour bike challenge at the hotel and an 80-mile return camping trip to the Dalby forest.

Last year’s winner Phil Wiggins received his award for running, cycling, and swimming 4,000 miles before he turned 41 – raising £7,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society in the process.

Community Pride is run by The Press and City of York Council, and the principal sponsor is Benenden.

All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area.

You can make a nomination at yorkpress.co.uk/pride