Members of a Darlington gym are set to run two miles this evening to pay tribute to a man who collapsed and died running the Great North Run in memory of his sister.

Runners from Physique Fitness on Banks Road will tonight (September 12) pay tribute to the life of Sam Wealleans from Newbiggin, Northumberland, who died during the Great North Run on September 8.

The 29-year-old was just over two miles off finishing the 13-mile route fundraising for mental health charity Mind in memory of his sister Carly and a family friend when he suddenly collapsed.

Sam Wealleans, 29.Sam Wealleans, 29. (Image: GREAT NORTH RUN)

Now, members of Physique Fitness who are still recovering from completing the run themselves over the weekend are set to run the final two miles Sam never had the chance to complete.

Heather Atkinson, assistant manager of the club, explained the idea came about after members of the gym's team ran past Sam whilst completing the run.

The 52-year-old told The Northern Echo: "The story behind it is that there was a team of 60 of us from the gym that did the Great North Run on Sunday - we were raising money for St Teresa's Hospice.

"A few of us had ran past when Sam unfortunately went down and they were understandably upset about it.

The Physique Fitness team who took on the Great North Run.The Physique Fitness team who took on the Great North Run. (Image: PHYSIQUE FITNESS)

"They followed the story and decided they wanted to do something, so they announced in the group chat that they were going to complete the 2.1 miles that Sam didn't finish."

Wearing the same tops they wore whilst completing the Great North Run, the group are set to set off from the club at 6:45pm.

Heather added: "The team have been absolutely fantastic - many of them are still hurting and aching after the weekend.

"There are quite a few who are coming along tonight to take part and I know for a fact it has touched them. 

She added: "It is just so sad, he was a young lad in his 20s. We have members of the club here the same age. You just never know what it going to happen.

"We really do have a fantastic group of members here - for them to have wanted to do it and organise it is just brilliant."

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This is not the only event taking place in Sam's memory in the region this week.

This weekend, runners will gather at Row Point car park at 11am on Sunday (September 15) before heading along the coastal pathway. 

Sam’s page, which was set up to raise funds for Mind has since gone on to raise £25,400 by 1923 donors as of September 12, soaring past his initial target of £350.