Runners from 20 countries here for the Jersey Marathon

Saturday, 5 October 2024 10:00

2,000 runners from 20 different countries are arriving in Jersey ahead of Sunday's marathon.

The Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon will return this weekend for the 19th time.

Nearly 2,000 runners are expected to participate across various categories, including the full 26 mile course, the Ravenscroft Relay Race, and the family-friendly Marathon Mile.

Runners in 2022

Race Director Andrew Thomas said the turnout this year is 'looking great'.

"We have an increase in runners on last year, (with) a couple of hundred coming from overseas to run the marathon alone.

"We've got 20 countries represented this year, which is right up there amongst one of our wider-reaching marathons. We've got people from Nigeria, Germany, Kenya, Malaysia, and The Netherlands.

"That's probably one of the benefits for our local runners, a big showcase event where they get to run alongside some of these runners where they get to hear their stories and their reasons for coming to our island."

Finish line set up at Weighbridge

Andrew said: "It's a special day for the island, and there's a huge amount of runners for charity, about 75 local charities are having funds raised for them in this year's event."

Route Map Race Director Andrew wants the runners to receive a bit of 'Jersey love' along the route

He is encouraging islanders to come and support the runners: "That level of support and encouragement is the difference between many runners finishing across the line or not.

"We're lucky enough to have a good number of volunteers on the course but any additional support will always be welcome."

He asks motorists to allow a little bit of extra time to get to their destinations, and that "a little toot, beep, or Jersey love to the runners would be brilliant."

More information on the route can be found here.