Challenge Events
Be part of something that really does change lives.
Want to accompany, serve, and advocate with and for refugees and forcibly displaced people?
By training, improving your fitness, and beating your personal best you may surprise yourself at what you can do.
By taking on a challenge such as the London Marathon or the Royal Parks Half you can raise money for people seeking safety in the UK.
To find out more, get in touch with us at uk.outreach@jrs.net
London Marathon 2027
Sunday 25th April 2027
Registration: £100
Fundraising target: £2000
London Landmarks Half Marathon
Sunday 4th April 2027
Registration: £35
Fundraising target: £350
Vitality London 10k
Sunday 27th September 2026
Registration: £30
Fundraising target: £350
Hear from previous runners
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WATCH: Meet James Ryan
James first encountered JRS UK when he took up his role at Ursuline Links. When he visited the centre, he knew immediately it was somewhere special. “As soon as I walked in, I just got a feel that this was a welcoming place,” he told us. The young people from his programme who had come to volunteer at the centre came back full of admiration for the work happening there – and that stayed with him.
When we come together, something special is created
Fast forward through those cold, wet, muddy days of training – when the thought of a warm shower and a cup of tea was the only thing that kept me going – to a hot Sunday, 27th April, at the start of the London Marathon. The city was incredible, the energy from the crowds magical, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
I am extremely grateful and humbled. When we come together to support each other something special is created. Thank you.
Running for sanctuary
Around the time I ran the Nottingham marathon, I was living as a residential support worker for a house of young unaccompanied asylum seekers; young men of around 16, 17, mostly from Afghanistan or elsewhere in the Middle East. They had fled war zones, terrorism, and illegal occupation.
People who have been forced to flee their homes and seek sanctuary in the UK are often faced with destitution and hostility. (Sometimes they are even forced to live with lazy philosophers). I’ll be remembering my time with them as I train for the 2025 London Marathon.
Through my work at London Jesuit Centre, I came into contact with the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, and so when I heard that they have a marathon team, I was very tempted to apply: as a way to support their work, but also as a way to challenge myself physically.
Read Stuart’s reflections ahead of running the London Marathon
Training for a marathon is like having a full-time job
I want to live my life to the fullest, but I also believe doing everything in moderation. I would love to keep running while staying healthy, happy, and always grateful to others. Hopefully, I can complete the world’s 7 majors in the near future.
In life, I want to continue being involved in making a difference for others. There are so many people suffering due to their circumstances, and if I can make even a small difference through my actions, that’s my lifelong goal — to support and uplift others.
Health extends beyond the clinic
This past year, I completed my MSc in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Ultimately, I hope to adopt a public health approach to clinical medicine as a physician.
I deeply admire the work of JRS UK in ensuring refugee needs are met and providing a valuable community for those who have been displaced.I had the privilege of visiting the Hurtado Jesuit Centre recently to see the services JRS UK provides in action, including the provision of food, clothes, and toiletries, and a drama workshop. It was inspiring to witness the strong sense of community fostered at the centre.
From choir friends to Marathon runners
Barbara and Dunstan’s connection began at Farm Street Church, where they are both part of the young adult’s choir. This April, they’ll trade hymn sheets for running shoes as they tackle the ultimate challenge of the London Marathon.
It's my turn to give back
When I was an asylum seeker, JRS UK supported me. Now, I also want to use my body to run the Marathon for JRS UK.
Now that I’m able to move forward with my life, I want to give back to JRS UK and be a friend to other people who are stuck in limbo. I’m volunteering at JRS UK with the English and drama classes, the JRS shop and acupuncture.
The light of hope
While running, I sometimes still recall my first visit to Primrose Hill, a place where I learned to keep my hope alive. What differs now is that, in every step of my running, I am aware that I am also extending my help to others. As the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year and invites us to become ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, I wish that what I do will offer my refugee brothers and sisters a similar light of hope in their difficult times.
Running for a great cause
I am currently getting my MSc in Migration Studies at Oxford University and hope to dedicate my career to working with migrants and refugees. Running for a greater cause has always pushed me to be a better runner, and I can think of no better cause to raise money for than an organisation that works to help the migrant and refugee populations that I also hope to support and work with in the future!
Why Annabelle is running for JRS UK
A week before Annabelle took on the London Marathon, she invited us to join her for one of her final pre-marathon runs, sharing why she is running for refugees, how her faith motivates her to run with JRS UK, and the biggest challenges of training.
It exceeded all my expectations!
The atmosphere of the Marathon is unique; there are bands playing, people cheering, co-runners encouraging others, energy gels, waters and jellybeans handed out in plenty. The journey in itself is stunning, you get to run past and through some of the most iconic London sights. It was definitely worth the pain!
Nobody chooses to be a refugee
Yesterday I was in pain, my feet were hurting, my legs were hurting—I was thinking: I am hurting because I chose to go running. But a refugee has their whole body, their whole soul hurting—everything is hurting. Also, I was going to run and get home, I was going to have a nice shower, and eat—they don’t know when they are going to arrive, and they don’t know where they are going to arrive. When I am in pain I think: this is nothing compared to what they would have to go through.
