Runners sign up for London Marathon 2021

The Salvation Army is urging people to sign up to run this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon which will be held on Sunday 3 October 2021. This year runners will help raise funds for the church and charity’s vital work with survivors of modern slavery.

For those unable to travel to London there is also the Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon, which runners can complete on the same day over the course of 24 hours wherever they are in the world.

One quick-footed fundraiser is Michael Bowerman, from Preston, Lancashire, who has three children aged 18, 12 and 10. He found out about the work of The Salvation Army through his family. His sister-in-law Claire, works as a community centre co-ordinator and his brother and father both also volunteer for the church and charity. Michael is hoping to raise £2,000 to support victims of modern slavery.

The 37-year-old Marketing Manager said: “Through Claire, I learned a lot about the work The Salvation Army does in supporting people, especially with the food bank in Preston. That’s something I’m passionate about - supporting the more vulnerable members of society. I know that modern slavery exists in communities across the north of England and hope any money I raise will go towards helping them.

“I have to admit that I’ve never found a lot of joy in running. I’d played a lot of football so had a certain level of fitness, but it was in lockdown when there was no sport that I took running up to keep fit. I’m trying to run every other day with a longer run at the weekend.

“I’ve never done a marathon before, and when it was snowing, and I was suffering from knee injuries, I thought ‘I’m not sure I can do this!’ but then I discovered audiobooks. Now it’s like I go for a run so I can get some reading done!

“There’s also a Facebook group for people who are running for The Salvation Army so we’re starting to build up that running community which is really encouraging. We can follow each other on Strava (an app which tracks people’s exercise), which is good for those who are competitive like me!

“I’m really excited to be taking part in this for The Salvation Army, I’ve been a spectator at the London Marathon before and the atmosphere was brilliant, everyone is so supportive. I think it will be even better this time after the year we’ve had.”

If you would like a place in the London Marathon and run to raise money for The Salvation Army click here and if you would like to sponsor Michael click here.