Running 26.2 miles alongside Loch Ness is difficult enough, but Inverness firefighter Lloyd Armstrong has decided to do it carrying another 16kg on his back.

Lloyd will tackle the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon on Saturday 26 September wearing full fire service gear to raise money for The Firefighters Charity.

The Inverness based firefighter is no stranger to endurance challenges, having completed ultramarathons, triathlons and a marathon in Rome in 2 hours and 53 minutes.

He has also cycled from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, but wanted to find a new challenge that would push him further while raising money for a cause closely connected to his work.

Lloyd has served at Inverness Fire Station for almost three years and will use his latest challenge to support a charity providing physical, mental health and welfare services to serving and retired fire service personnel and their families.

He has set himself a fundraising target of £1,000 and has already passed £300.

It follows an earlier challenge which helped raise £5,000 for the Sepsis Trust.

This time, however, the challenge is not simply about covering the marathon distance.

Lloyd will wear a helmet, fire retardant tunic and leggings while carrying a full Breathing Apparatus kit plate and air cylinder.

He will swap the heavy leather fire service boots for running shoes to reduce the risk of injury, but the rest of the equipment will add around 16kg before he even reaches the start line.

Then there is the heat.

Firefighting clothing is designed to protect the wearer from extreme external temperatures, which also means it is particularly effective at trapping body heat inside.

As Lloyd sweats during the marathon, his clothing will absorb moisture and become heavier, adding another element to an already formidable physical challenge.

Despite that, he is aiming to complete the Loch Ness course in somewhere between four and four and a half hours.

Support is expected along the route from his girlfriend, parents, gym colleagues and online fitness clients as he takes on the marathon on home ground.

And after ultramarathons, triathlons, cycling the length of Britain and running a sub three hour marathon, Lloyd appears to have found a suitably uncomfortable way of making 26.2 miles difficult again.

His plans for the finish line are considerably less complicated.

The helmet and fire kit are coming off as quickly as possible.

Then he intends to have a cold pint.

Behind the considerable physical challenge is a straightforward fundraising ambition, with every mile helping support the charity that is there for firefighters and their families when they need it.

Supporters can follow Lloyd’s training journey and donate to his campaign here