27 Runners take part in the London Marathon for Jesuit Missions
Alan Fernandes from the Jesuit Missions Office explains the action at this year’s London Marathon
The night before the race is usually the ‘calm before the storm’, as runners from around the country start to get nervous and wonder if they are going to get any sleep before the race. In Wimbledon, many runners joined us for a preparatory Mass, followed by a pasta meal. Others phoned in to the Jesuit Missions office in an attempt to calm their nerves.
As in previous years, the team had been steadily building up to include students from our Jesuit schools, teachers, parishioners, volunteers from the Xavier Volunteer Programme and other benefactors, all aiming to raise funds for the work of the Society of Jesus overseas. It also saw the largest number of Jesuits running, including: Paul O’Reilly (UK), Simon Thiong’o (East Africa), Dominic Tomuseni (Zimbabwe), Stephen Clegg (South Africa) and Rampeoane Hlobo (South Africa).
After joining together at Waterloo Station, the team slowly split up to catch their trains to one of the three starting points in South East London. The Wombles team started at the Blue Marker, along with Steven Clegg and Tim Warner, while the rest assembled at the Red start.
The Jesuit Missions Support teams were out in force at many points along the course and managed to spot most of the runners, as they joined the 34,500 other runners in the race. Our runners recorded some amazing times, including Tim Warner at 3hrs 24mins and the first Womble to cross the finishing line was Declan Gleeson recording 5.05. Unfortunately, the other Wombles suffered from injury and the rain, causing their wet fur to weigh them down.
The runners have a target of £60,000 to help the variety of different causes they hope to help. You can still sponsor them by sending in your donation or by visiting the Jesuit Missions website: www.jesuitmissions.org.uk
The night before the race is usually the ‘calm before the storm’, as runners from around the country start to get nervous and wonder if they are going to get any sleep before the race. In Wimbledon, many runners joined us for a preparatory Mass, followed by a pasta meal. Others phoned in to the Jesuit Missions office in an attempt to calm their nerves.
As in previous years, the team had been steadily building up to include students from our Jesuit schools, teachers, parishioners, volunteers from the Xavier Volunteer Programme and other benefactors, all aiming to raise funds for the work of the Society of Jesus overseas. It also saw the largest number of Jesuits running, including: Paul O’Reilly (UK), Simon Thiong’o (East Africa), Dominic Tomuseni (Zimbabwe), Stephen Clegg (South Africa) and Rampeoane Hlobo (South Africa).
After joining together at Waterloo Station, the team slowly split up to catch their trains to one of the three starting points in South East London. The Wombles team started at the Blue Marker, along with Steven Clegg and Tim Warner, while the rest assembled at the Red start.
The Jesuit Missions Support teams were out in force at many points along the course and managed to spot most of the runners, as they joined the 34,500 other runners in the race. Our runners recorded some amazing times, including Tim Warner at 3hrs 24mins and the first Womble to cross the finishing line was Declan Gleeson recording 5.05. Unfortunately, the other Wombles suffered from injury and the rain, causing their wet fur to weigh them down.
The runners have a target of £60,000 to help the variety of different causes they hope to help. You can still sponsor them by sending in your donation or by visiting the Jesuit Missions website: www.jesuitmissions.org.uk