Jen Loffman’s 2026 London Marathon Journey
What made you decide to take on the challenge of the London Marathon?
About a year ago, I started to think I wasn’t quite as happy as I wanted to be, in the sense of needing to do something for my wellbeing. I work for a charity developing creative things with communities and bringing people together, but I realised in my personal life I didn’t know who or what my community was.
When I saw the London Marathon challenge, it felt perfect. It gave me a reason to join my local running club, which I’d been too shy to do before. I also knew that running is great for your wellbeing. So, I thought, that’s it. I’m going to sign up.
It helped me feel part of something bigger, which was one of my main goals.
What role did Groundwork play in your marathon journey?
Groundwork’s support was very important. The dedicated contact, Ray, kept meeting me every few weeks just to check how I was getting on, giving me fundraising ideas and making me understand how worthwhile my fundraising was for helping Groundwork to achieve their mission.
The thing that I benefitted from the most was when Groundwork organised a meeting with a marathon expert. I received bespoke training and tips including injury advice and exercises which really calmed me down.
How did you approach your fundraising?
I’m lucky that my dad is a member of a rugby club which provided access to a great venue. I also have a family of musicians and friends who play music, so I used those resources to put on an event. I arranged for a few of my friend’s bands to play and charged £10 on the door as well as raising money through a raffle and a tombola which people loved!
A couple of weeks before I did another, smaller event at the same place. Along with my mum and dad, I cooked a three-course meal for roughly 20 people and charged around £20 a ticket. They had a great time, and a few who were runners in the past told me about their experiences.
A picture slideshow related to running and gardening played whilst I made a speech about the reason I was raising money for Groundwork. The main thing I wanted to show was the importance of bringing people together and linking to Groundwork’s community work by reminding the rugby club of their community.
Why is fundraising for Groundwork important to you?
Groundwork creates spaces and community groups that people can access and benefit from via a support network. I know how difficult it is to break into community groups and speak to new people if you’re at home a lot so what Groundwork is doing is really important to provide that sense of community.
There’s also so many different things Groundwork does to encourage people to have positive mental health or physical health through getting involved. Where for me that was through running, for other people, it might be joining a gardening group, a Green Community Hub or an outdoor initiative like Wellies in the Woods.
Fundraising is a win-win situation. You’re affecting people’s lives and just by doing something like running you can help a lot of people. It makes you feel good to know you’re helping.
What was your experience like on the day of the London Marathon?
The atmosphere was amazing. There were people running for all different types of charities and loads of them wore fancy dress costumes. There was live music along the route too and people at the pub watching in different neighbourhoods.
I didn’t stop grinning the whole time. I usually run with my headphones on, but I didn’t need them at all, and I just wanted to absorb all the crowds cheering.
At around 30km, I started to struggle and I was nervous, but the crowds kept me going. A complete stranger told me that I could do this and cheered me on. The whole of London came together to support each other.
It was surreal crossing the finish line. I thought I’d cry, but I didn’t. I was just so happy and proud that I’d achieved a goal which seemed impossible at first.
Has the experience changed your outlook?
Completely. I feel a bit unstoppable and am already thinking about what challenge to do next. I do park run now and I’m trying to work on my speed rather than the distance at the running club. I just want to keep going.
My lifestyle has completely changed. I prioritise running now and I feel more productive and happier. Having some goals and direction and reasons to be healthy and look after my well-being is really important. For me, the marathon was about taking the step of joining a group, not being so shy, and about making friends as an adult – so it’s helped my confidence in lots of different ways.
Now, it’s not about how well I can do in this challenge; it’s about just giving it a go and sharing the experience with other people who are in the same boat, doing it together.
What advice would you give to someone considering a marathon for charity?
Don’t listen to that feeling of doubt if it’s there and just carry on anyway. Especially if you’ve not ran a marathon before. That’s even more reason to have a go because you’ll amaze yourself by what you’re capable of.
Notes to editors
For more information please contact: media@groundwork.org.uk
About Groundwork
Groundwork is a federation of charities with a collective mission to take practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive. We support communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience in order to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to healthier, happier lives for all: www.groundwork.org.uk