School teacher takes on marathon for a reason – but what’s yours?

Thursday 19 May 2016

A primary school teacher is sharing his reasons for running his first ever marathon on social media to help inspire others to get their trainers on for the big race in October.

Chris Fancourt is a cancer survivor who plans to run the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon in fancy dress to raise money for teenagers battling the disease.

The 37-year-old who teaches at Samarès Primary School was diagnosed with a rare form of PNET abdominal cancer in September 1999 and was given a 20-30 per cent chance of surviving treatment.

Five operations later and after several months of chemotherapy he was given the all clear and this year celebrates being cancer free for 15 years. 

Chris said: “Having been at such a low point during my treatment, where even getting out of bed was an ordeal, there were times when walking out of Southampton hospital into a taxi was almost beyond me.

“At the time I didn’t foresee a future, let alone being here today preparing to run my first ever marathon. As the years ticked by, I became stronger and my love for running grew. Here I am in 2016 with a hundred miles in my legs since the start of the year.

“I’m slowly gearing up to what will be a tough challenge, but one which I hope will raise a lot of money for Teenage Cancer Trust – a charity very close to my heart. I’m well known for my fancy dress costumes and I have a few ideas swirling around my head, so I’m sure I’ll be one to look out for on the starting line!”

Chris is just one runner sharing his reasons for taking part on social media using the hashtag #runforareason and the race organisers hope he'll be one of many taking on the challenge and helping to raise as much money as possible for the event’s charity partners, Seeing is Believing and Brig-y-Don Children’s Charity.

Standard Chartered Jersey’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Ingle said: “There are so many reasons why people decide to take on a marathon, from raising money for personal causes through to overcoming hardship or simply wanting to take on a new challenge.

“Our #runforareason campaign aims to capture the essence of what drives people to enter the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon, and will hopefully inspire others to sign up. Chris’ story is an inspiration to us all, and we wish him the best of luck with his training and fundraising in the run up to the marathon.”

You can share the reasons why you are running the Marathon this year by tweeting @Jersey_Marathon using the hashtag #runforareason or via Facebook here and you can sign up for the big race here.