It is the TCS London Marathon this weekend, with many islanders heading to the capital to take on the famous route, with many of the runners doing the distance for charities close to their hearts.
Dan caught up with four of them ahead of the big day!
Aaron Kernoghan and Logan McGhee
What marathon are you running and for what charity?
We are running the best marathon in the world… the London Marathon.
And we have the honour of raising money for a local Jersey charity, the Jersey Heart Support Group.
Why is this charity so important to you?
Being able to be involved and actually see the work and impact JHSG has in Jersey has been huge for us. We’ve been really lucky to take part in some of the roadshows, and Mark from JHSG also came into Aaron’s workplace to deliver a session, which tied in nicely with TMF’s heart initiative month. During these sessions, we had hands-on training learning CPR and how to use defibs.
We’ve been able to see with our own eyes the work put in by the volunteers and everything they do around the island. It’s truly been eye-opening to understand how much the funds we’ve raised help people who have been through cardiac events, as well as their families. Their commitment to all of the charity runners has also been exceptional, which has made this year’s JHSG runners a really tight-knit community. That alone gives us even more motivation to raise as much money as possible, alongside awareness.
A lot of their time and effort goes into training and educating people on the importance of heart health, which really resonates with both of us.
It being a local charity, knowing all the money stays on the island, and understanding that it can genuinely be the difference in saving lives makes it even more special.
How excited are you for the marathon itself?
We are beyond excited and genuinely can’t wait to get out there and put all our training into race day. We haven’t been shy about setting the bar high, and now we just want to see if our bodies and minds can deliver on the day.
More importantly though, we want to soak it all in. We both have some really special people coming over to support us, so aside from the three hours (hopefully no more 😂) of actually running, we know the rest of the trip and the atmosphere will be pretty special.
It’s a bit crazy that we’re looking forward to pushing through that pain barrier, isn’t it 😄
Have you enjoyed the training?
We’ve both absolutely loved it and, to be honest, there’s already part of us that’s wondering what we’re going to do with our time when it’s finished (although I think our girlfriends probably have a rough idea).
We’re lucky that we’re at a similar fitness level, but to anyone thinking about marathon training, we’d honestly recommend doing it with a friend. The long scenic runs on a Saturday, putting the world to rights and getting things off our chests, have been a real pleasure.
We’re both going through really busy periods in our personal lives with house refurbs, house moves and busy work schedules, but one thing that’s been completely non‑negotiable is getting our runs in. The weight that’s lifted after an hour-and-a-half run around St Ouen’s or Gorey, chatting and having a laugh with your mate, is a pretty good way to start a Saturday.
That said, there have definitely been some sessions down the track or battling blistering winds along the Avenue where, if you’d asked us this question straight after, the answer might have been slightly different.
Ultimately though, the training is more important than the run itself. If you don’t enjoy that part, what’s the point?
What are your main goals, both in terms of fundraising and the day itself?
From a fundraising point of view, it’s about raising as much as possible, creating as much awareness as we can (anyone who follows Logan on Instagram will probably vouch for how good he is at that), and hopefully inspiring future JHSG runners, maybe even the 2027 group, to take that leap of faith and support the charity even more.
On the day itself, I’ll keep this simple. There are only two outcomes in our minds: sub‑3 or a DNF.
Cameron Hunt
What marathon are you running and for what charity?
Running the London Marathon for Headway Jersey.
Why is this charity so important to you?
Headway is a charity close to me as my brother suffered a brain injury as a result of a moped crash back in 2019. Seeing someone so close go through that has made me really motivated me to train hard as well as raise as much as I can because I know the importance of a charity like this.
How excited are you for the marathon itself?
Very excited for the marathon and getting nervous now!
Have you enjoyed the training?
I have enjoyed the training; however the long runs have been getting very hard but I have got them done and am ready to go!
What are your main goals, both in terms of fundraising and the day itself?
I’m currently over the £2,800 mark on the fundraising front, but aiming to get over the 3k mark before race day. In terms of time, I’m aiming for sub 3 hours 30, but aiming to get as close to that 3-hour mark as I possibly can.
Jessica Collins
What marathon are you running and for what charity?
I am running the London Marathon, fundraising for Jersey Heart Support Group.
Why is this charity so important to you?
Working in the ambulance service, I see first-hand how early defibrillation saves lives. I wanted to help raise money to put more defibrillators around the island. You never know when you or someone you know may need one !
How excited are you for the marathon itself?
I am very excited for the marathon but also very nervous !
Have you enjoyed the training?
I’ve enjoyed the training now the weathers better it’s a lot more fun but it’s taken some dedication to get out running in the rain, wind and dark ! I’ve really enjoyed seeing myself get fitter and stronger
What are your main goals, both in terms of fundraising and the day itself?
I want to raise £2000. I’m currently at 1.3k, so I’m close! Any donation no matter the amount, will be very appreciated and help the Jersey Heart Support Group.
