A YORK man is stepping up his preparations for a marathon effort in memory of his brother.

Running was a shared love between brothers Rod Watson and Matt Rylatt.

So when Rod died on the eve of the 2007 London Marathon following a fight with a lung disease, half-brother Matt made a promise to run the marathon this year and help raise money for the British Lung Foundation.

Matt, 46, of Heworth, York, said: "Training is going well, despite coming down with two colds in quick succession just before Christmas.

"I have recently run three races as part of my training; the Leeds Abbey Dash 10km; the Denby Dale Travellers six-mile; and the Knavesmire three-mile Christmas cross- country relay, together with one of my sons and a friend who is also running the London marathon.

"So far, I have been pretty pleased with my times.

"I've got a half-marathon scheduled, and may try to fit in one or two more races which will give me a good idea of how the training is going, and get me used to running in a race situation, but getting round is my priority."

The brothers ran their first half-marathon 25 years ago and had run several races before Rod's death.

Matt said: "Rod loved running and would train about three times a week. He fell ill about two years ago when he got fibrosis of the lung.

"When it became clear he was not going to recover, I promised to run the London Marathon to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.

"It was ironic and poignant when he died on the eve of the London Marathon, and it spurred me more than ever to do it this year on the anniversary of his death."

Matt said: "I am aiming to raise about £1,600. I have managed to generate a couple of sponsors for me on my web site and, separately, I have managed to gain further sponsors.

"I haven't totted up how much the promises total yet, but I've still got quite a way to go to my target and I shall be making another push over the next few weeks."

To sponsor Matt, log on to www. justgiving.com/mattrylatt