Former Les Misérables lead violinist Jonathan Hill was supposed to be running the London Marathon this year to support Chickenshed, a UK children’s charity and theatre company.
But when the pandemic put a stop to that plan, the recording artist came up with an alternative: spending time in Jersey, and running the 26.2 miles up and down St. Ouen’s Bay instead.
Pictured: Jonathan Hill will be running a marathon distance up and down St. Ouen’s Bay – though the conditions may not be as nice as this, with showers forecast…
No stranger to the kaleidoscopic costumes of theatre, having led and guest-led 15 West End shows ranging from Phantom of the Opera to Legally Blonde, Jonathan has decided to inject a little drama into his run, donning blue tights and red trainers in the likeness of a well-known superhero.
On Instagram, he even made a call-out to Jersey’s own Superman, Henry Cavill, in case he happens to be on the island, saying: “@henrycavill if you’re on your home turf that weekend it’d be great for another Superman to run with me for a bit!”
Adding to the drama is Jonathan’s ambitious target: a bid to beat his 3:19:00 marathon time he got in Chicago 2019.
The challenge comes less than a month after he completed another in Jersey – 40-mile cliff path Double Top Ultra Marathon hosted by Jersey Trail Monkey.
Between then and today’s challenge, he also managed to squeeze in another of his non-musical passions – Shotokan Karate – with locally-based friends.
It’s not the athletic violinist’s first time in Jersey, having performed several times before.
One of his most notable visits was in 2016, when he delighted audiences at a packed-out Victoria College Great Hall with a performance on a violin worth more than £1.5m.
Speaking of today’s challenge, Jonathan said: “2020 has been a pants year for everyone and particularly the entertainments industry and charities. So what better way to run the London Virtual Marathon than in support of Chickenshed – a charity which brings people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to produce outstanding work that inspires, challenges, entertains and educates?
“To add the theatrical and entertainment aspect, I will be SUPERMAN while running up and down St. Ouen’s Bay in Jersey. I am aiming to beat my 3:19:00 time that I achieved in Chicago in 2019.”
Islanders keen to see Jonathan in action should be able to spot him in his distinctive Superman outfit crossing St. Ouen’s Bay today.
