For more than two decades, the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon has been a fixture of Island life.
What began as a popular local sporting event has evolved into something much bigger: a marathon that attracts runners from across the globe, drawn by its unique blend of challenge, community and breathtaking scenery.
Now celebrating its 21st year, the event has become one of Jersey’s most anticipated annual occasions. While its roots remain firmly embedded in the local community, bringing together volunteers, charities, supporters and runners of all abilities, its reputation increasingly extends far beyond the Island’s shores.
Over recent years, close to 2,000 participants have taken to Jersey’s roads, raising significant funds for charitable causes and reinforcing the event’s lasting impact on those who take part.
What truly sets the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon apart are the stories behind the people who choose to run it. Every runner arrives at the start line carrying their own motivation. For some, it’s a personal milestone. For others, it’s a chance to honour a loved one or support a cause close to their heart.
This year is no exception.
photograph of his father
Among those taking part is Ally McKenzie, who is travelling from Newry in Northern Ireland to remember his late father, who passed away in May this year:
“His passing was very sudden and changed our lives overnight. He was a great supporter of mine and attended races in the past. We are still coming to terms with the impact of his loss, but I wanted a great challenge to remember my dad by and also to raise money for a local charity, Evora Hospice in Newry.”
Ally will be easy to spot as he and his family have had bespoke running vests made featuring a photograph of his father. He is running in support of Evora Hospice, a charity that held special significance for his father, who had a close friend supported by the organisation. Ally has done a fantastic job of exceeding his initial £500 target and, as it stands, is close to reaching his new target of £3,500.
“The first of my three marathons is the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon, and I actually won my entry through a Runners World competition,” says Ally. “I never win anything, so it felt like that one was handpicked by my dad. I’ll be following up Jersey with the Dublin Marathon and then London in 2027.”
While many runners are motivated by fundraising, others arrive with ambitious personal goals.
Jon Strong, from Tyne and Wear, is travelling to Jersey to complete a challenge years in the making: running an A-to-Z of marathons. With Jersey representing the letter “J”, it will be the final piece of the puzzle and the last marathon on his alphabetical journey.
“The challenge has provided a great reason to go to 26 places I wouldn’t have necessarily visited otherwise,” Jon said.
“While I have done V for Venice, Z for Zurich and some of the other well-known European marathons, I have also been to Remscheid, Germany, for the X-ray marathon and Ciudad Real, Spain, for the Quijote Marathon! I try not to fly so the only other possible marathon beginning with J was the Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland, which is uphill all the way – naturally, it had to be Jersey.”
Jon, who will be cheered on by his wife, took part in the London Marathon in April and has been doing his best to keep to his training schedule despite the very hot weather conditions this summer.
Then there is Mia Marsdon, whose story is one of resilience and determination. After suffering knee injuries that prevented her from running for almost a decade, the idea of completing a marathon once seemed impossible. But inspired by family and determined to prove to herself what was still possible, Mia gradually rebuilt her confidence and fitness.
“My brother started running marathons last year and I was very inspired by him. In June this year he started training again and I thought I’d join in and see how far I could get. I got the ‘runners buzz’ and decided to sign up for the Jersey Marathon with him.”
Today, she is preparing to run the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon after months of dedicated training. Her preparation has taken her across multiple countries, covering around 60 kilometres each week through the Netherlands, the south of France, Turkey and Jersey itself. Managing her injuries carefully has been key to her recovery, making her presence on the start line a remarkable achievement.
“I’d advise that anyone who is in a similar position to me follows a strict training plan, and to never skip gym day. Going to the gym for strengthening has been key to my knee recovery.”
Stories like these are woven into the fabric of the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon. They are a reminder that the event is about far more than finish times and personal bests. It is about perseverance, purpose, connection and community.
“What makes the Jersey Marathon so special is the way it brings together people from different backgrounds, countries and walks of life, all united by a shared challenge and a sense of purpose,” said Henry Baye, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Jersey. “Every participant, every volunteer and every supporter has their own story, and those stories make the event so inspiring year after year.”
From runners chasing lifelong ambitions to families cheering from the roadside, the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon continues to capture the spirit of Jersey. It remains a community event at its core, but one whose appeal now stretches far beyond the Island’s coastline.
And as more runners discover it each year, one thing remains certain: every mile has a story behind it.
