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On Sunday, tens of thousands of runners took part in the 26.2-mile London Marathon – many made the trip from Jersey, while other islanders took part virtually at home... So, how did they get on?
Express caught up with them...
Ben said: “The day was incredible, one of the best days of my life. I managed to finish in 05:02:05, which I was happy with, although I'd have loved to get sub-5hrs - but all in all, that didn't matter to me. Completing the London Marathon is a huge tick on my bucket list, and to be able to do it to raise money for Anthony Nolan and on the 10yr anniversary of my transplant, just made it so much more special.
"The event itself even better than everyone said it would be - crowds for miles on end, cheering you whether they knew you or not, I had headphones with me and only needed them for a couple miles when there were one or two testing miles, the rest was just taking everything in. Words can't describe that last mile/mile-and-a-half too... Knowing you'd done it, seeing the crowds past Big Ben and down Birdcage Walk, running around the corner past Buckingham Palace, so tough to absorb everything that's going on around you.
"The big highlight for me though, was seeing my girlfriend Polly, my family and Team Anthony Nolan around the course – that's what kept me going. Counting down the miles until I next saw them meant time and miles flew by and giving them all a big hug, hearing the cheers, makes you remember why you're putting in the hard yards, why you're the other side of the fence and running in one of the best marathons in the world – I can't thank them enough for all the love and support I received on the day, and in the weeks/months leading up to it!
"One final thank you again to Team Anthony Nolan too for allowing me to represent them, crossing that finish line and all the work prior was for you guys, and every single person you have helped, or will help in the future.”
You can donate to Ben's fundraiser here.
Joel finished the marathon in 3 hours and 12 minutes- 18 minutes quicker than his target, and just two minutes away from qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
He says he is very happy to have raised £4,500 – double his target – and that people were still donating to his fundraiser on Sunday.
He said: "The day was truly epic and emotional, if you watch the news, you could be forgiven for thinking the world is all about doom and gloom, but the atmosphere and support you get from the crowd and other runners is amazing and it has certainly restored my faith in humanity!"
Karl, whose shoe costume led him to become a bit of a celebrity on the island as he trained for the marathon, finished in 4:08:03 – despite the rain weighing down his costume.
"The shoe turned out to be a little superstar and got the crowd going, which in turn got me moving," he said.
You can still donate to Karl's fundraiser for Jersey Hospice Care.
Pictured: Nikita and Danielle are fundraising for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, who support The Royal Marsden cancer centre.
Nikita and Danielle started and finished their marathon at the Les Quennevais cycle track, where their friends and family came out to support them.
They raised £4,200 (and counting) for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity in memory of their cousin Natalie, who passed away in November.
They finished in 5:46, despite having to run an extra 3km after their trackers didn't connect initially.
They would like to say: “We are overwhelmed with the support and sponsorship we have received from everyone. Having Marie (Nat’s mum) and Hollie (Nat’s best friend) over to support us along with family and friends was a massive boost and definitely gave us the extra motivation we needed to make it round.
"To be able to do this for Nat was a massive achievement and something of which we can be proud. We have raised an incredible £4,200 at the moment however the fundraising will not stop here.”
A group of 17 runners from Cancer Research UK Jersey took part in the marathon, and all 17 finished.
Their ambition is to raise £100,000 this year, which will be allocated to clinical trials and research in Southampton, where many islanders are treated for cancer. The group has raised £41,000 already and they are confident that they will reach their goal by the end of 2023.
Their fundraiser is online here.
"Squirrelling away" funds for charity
Dean and Kiley completed the Virtual London Marathon wearing squirrel masks to support Acorn, "squirrelling away" some much-needed funds for the charity.
Kiley said: "We started at 7.15 and finished at around 4.05 which I was happily surprised by! People were really supportive which was great and made the time fly. I loved doing it and have even more respect for the runners now I appreciate the distance."
Dean said: "We took approximately nine hours. Kiley and I walked from Acorn in Trinity, through the north of St Martin, down to Gorey then the coast road to St Aubin followed by the Railway Walk to Corbière.
"I hate the rain but when it subsided St Martin looked beautiful at 7am in the countryside. I advise anyone to take a walk at that time regardless of the weather. The hardest part was going up the Railway Walk on a low gradient; it was consistently taxing on tiring legs.
"The pint in Corbière Phare was nectar from the gods!"
You can donate to Dean's fundraiser for Jersey Employment Trust and Acorn.
Pictured: Michael Hampshire said Acorn reuse is "a community of totally non-judgemental staff and volunteers who all support each other unconditionally".
Michael finished the marathon in 7:58:32.
He said: "I never thought in my wildest dreams that I could even achieve half the distance.
"I couldn’t have done it without the support of friends and Acorn family, especially Rob who did the first half with me and unselfishly stayed at my pace. And thanks to my favourite Frenchman JP. If he hadn’t been there for the last ten miles I wouldn’t have finished. When I hit the wall at 22 miles his encouragement and determination was the only thing keeping me going."
There are buckets at the Acorn reception for Michael's fundraiser, which will be there for at least a week.
Chris completed the marathon in just over five hours – wearing a squirrel costume.
He said: "What a day! 42.3km, round the same 1.5km loop, for just over 5 hours… With a squirrel costume on the whole time.
"So many kind words, so many happy faces, so much encouragement.
"Thank you to everyone who has donated."
Chris's fundraiser is online here.
Katie finished in 3 hours 53 minutes and raised £4,735 for NSPCC Jersey.
Katie said: “Training and running my first marathon has been the most amazing and rewarding experience - I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to run in one of the most iconic races and raise money for such a fantastic charity.
"The support of my friends, family and even total strangers has been unbelievable throughout training, in their generous donations, and right through to their support at the finish line in London. Thank you everyone and thank you NSPCC for enabling me to run.”
Katie's fundraiser is here.
Nima ran the marathon in 4 hours and 22 minutes, raising £4,478 for NSPCC Jersey.
Nima said: “Having set goals to work towards is what motivates me. I believe this is important in all areas of life, no matter how big or small, whether it’s for your career, your personal life, or fitness.”
You can donate to Nima's fundraiser for NSPCC here.
Fiona finished in 3 hours and 55 minutes.
Her fundraiser for Jersey Hospice Care is available here.
Honor finished in 4 hours, 23 minutes.
Her fundraiser for Jersey Hospice Care is here.
Sisters Gemma Lee and Sam Neil are fundraising for Jersey Hospice Care here.
Gemma finished in 5 hours and 55 minutes, and Sam in 5 hours and 19 minutes.
Henry finished in 3 hours and 53 minutes.
Henry's fundraiser is here.
Sarah finished in 4 hours and 8 minutes.
Her fundraiser is here.
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