A pair of twins are preparing to run a unique marathon spanning two continents to help raise money for the moon bears of Asia. 

Maren and Silke Dallmann will take part in the Istanbul Eurasia Marathon running 26 miles from the most Western point of Asia in Istanbul, Turkey, to the edge of Europe, on November 11.

The non-identical twins, aged 49, are hoping to raise £3,000 for the Animals Asia Foundation, to help end cruelty toward the Asiatic black bear, affectionately named moon bears because of the yellow crescent moon on their chest.

For Wimbledon resident Maren, it will be her first ever marathon.

She said: "Doing the Istanbul Marathon was Silke's idea. 

"We are both coordinators of Animals Asia volunteer Support Groups based in Europe - me in London and Silke in Glasgow - and this is the only marathon in the world where you run from Asia to Europe, so seemed like the perfect challenge to do for Animals Asia."

Maren has prepared for the event by running seven miles home from work nearly every evening.
To donate please visit justgiving.com/Silke-Maren-Istanbul