THE “inspiring” Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon not only showcased the skills of elite athletes, but also highlighted the remarkable achievements of local runners and the profound impact the event has on the Island community as a whole.
While international competitors Guillame Ruel and Dawn Godwin stole the show with blistering finish times, a host of local talent also shined through, namely in the shape of James Oliver and Natalie Hodge, who led the charge.
Oliver, who started running during the pandemic, claimed the crown of the fastest local male with an impressive time of 2hrs 31mins 53secs, securing third overall and the fastest time in which a Jerseyman has ever ran the marathon.
He said: “Running in front of friends and family makes all the difference, there were so many friendly faces out there offering their support and that really helps when you’re out there struggling.”
For the women, Hodge finished as the top local female with a spectacular time of 3hrs 19mins 43secs.
Another seasoned local marathon runner, James Manners, finished fifth and first in the 40+ category with 2hrs 47mins 06secs and talked about what running meant to him.
“I absolutely love it.
“Running gets me out and about, I really like that it’s just me, my music and the run.
“Obviously you can go out running with friends but I find the solitary experience can be quite meditative in a sense, and I really enjoy just being out with nature on the trails.”
In the past, Manners has used his outlet to raise large sums of money for charity, particularly in 2018 when he completed the full 26.2 miles in a stormtrooper suit, raising over £4,000.
“I find raising money for charities, especially local ones, really spurs you on,” he added.
“It is so rewarding to run for something more than yourself and to see the fruits of your labour, the money you’ve raised, make a difference in real life.”
However, the marathon is reserved only for those seasoned athletes, Henry Baye, chief executive of Standard Chartered, stated: “There is a race for everybody” and that certainly rang true.
While the full marathon attracted just shy of 500 competitors, the whole event boasted nearly 2,000 entries in total.
The “Ravenscroft Relay” made up the bulk of the remaining entrants, with people able to tackle the marathon in teams of two or five.
One relay participant, Harry Diamond, said: “The relay just makes everything that little bit more accessible.
“While I’m sure there are many first-timers who entered the full marathon, that can be an incredibly daunting prospect for some, not to mention a huge time commitment in terms of training.
“It’s a great thing to get into and I think being able to get involved in an event like [the Jersey Marathon] gives people something tangible to aim for.”
Much like Oliver, Diamond began his running journey during lockdown, “I started going on runs because there was nothing else to do.
“At the beginning I was useless, but I just kept going and earlier this year I ran my first half-marathon.
“I found having little milestones really helpful, and events like these provide me with a lot of motivation.
“I really like running now, especially around work as even in just 20 minutes, it gives me a period of time where I can just forget about everything and relax.”
Another category is the Marathon Mile, sponsored by Jersey Development Company, which provides children with an opportunity to get involved as well as others who might find the relay too taxing.
Standard Chartered CEO Baye expressed that this event really resonated with him, embracing the spirit of the Jersey Marathon: “Witnessing the Marathon Mile was truly special.
“I was watching the warm-up, it was just beautiful to see the expressions on the faces of parents as they watched their children getting ready, you could see admiration, protection and joy, that motherly and fatherly instinct.
“There were also some parents running with their kids, in particular I saw one little girl really struggling, the mother carried her to near the finish line when she put the little one down and gave her a little pep talk, then the two of them ran across the finish line together and their reaction was amazing.
“It’s those little stories of inspiration that happen all across the event. You can go all along the tracks and see how many people come out of homes to cheer people on.”
“Every single person taking part in this event carries a story.
“Some are running for endangered species, some for charities, some for other reasons more personal or simply to inspire others.
“I know somebody who is playing a very special part in the event today for me, she’s running because of something she went through herself, she’s pushing herself to do something amazing and she wants her story to inspire people.
“There’s a couple who, three years ago, got married during the event, they ran halfway, got married at Corbiere, and then continued.
“I met them this year, and it turns out they are doing the relay together. Isn’t that just beautiful?
“There so many little stories like these and that is something that is really difficult to quantify.”
Even those who were unable, or chose not to run, were able to get involved through the volunteering, Agnes Umutoni stated: “I think this event is really powerful.
“I am so proud to have been involved, even if only in a small part.”
Having nearly recovered to pre-Covid numbers, the event placed their primary focus on giving back to the community.
For the first time, the event included a trainer drop-off initiative, whereby people could donate trainers to be re-used and recycled through Acorn and Jersey Shelter Trust.
Furthermore, a portion of the entry fees went towards supporting Futuremakers, a charity focused on tackling inequality and promoting greater economic inclusion for young people.
Baye expressed thanks to everyone involved in the event, including fellow sponsors Ravenscroft and JDC as well as 3D events, St John Ambulance, States of Jersey employees and all the volunteers, without whom “the event would not be possible”.
Full results from the 2024 Jersey Marathon can be found via jersey-marathon.com/event-info/results/.
Sign-up for the 2025 edition will be open shortly for what promises to be a special iteration of the Jersey Marathon on its 20th anniversary.
