May 27th 2024.
Jackie's experience of running the London Marathon dressed as a London Bus was nothing short of remarkable. Her body was pushed to its limits, with her legs screaming and her arms burning, but her heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. As she approached the finish line, she allowed herself to believe that she and her team had achieved the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in a 10-person costume.
Just 24 hours prior, Jackie and her friends were struggling to even make it up a hill in their makeshift 'London Bus' costume made of plumbing pipes, hula hoops, and yoga mats. Their final practice run had not gone well, and doubts were creeping in about their ability to complete the marathon. However, as they crossed the finish line after six and a half hours, Jackie was reminded of the power of teamwork and the support of those around her.
The team had not only made it to the finish line, but they had made it together, dressed as everyday heroes such as a doctor, farmer, and Brownie. Their costumes were not designed for endurance racing, but that didn't stop them from making history.
Jackie didn't wake up one day with the goal of running a marathon dressed as a London Bus with nine of her friends. But her life had taken an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 20s and had to learn to walk again in her 30s. The experience had taught her the value of each day and the importance of supporting others facing serious illness.
In 2014, while undergoing chemotherapy, Jackie pledged to raise £100k for charity in a decade. She wanted to make each day count and give back to those who had helped her through her own battle with cancer. Little did she know that this pledge would lead her on an incredible journey of self-discovery and teach her about teamwork, friendship, kindness, and hope.
At the time, Jackie didn't even own a pair of running shoes or leggings. But she felt the need to challenge herself and reclaim her body from cancer. So she chose running, knowing it would be the hardest thing for her pelvis and cancer-scarred body to endure. She ran her first 10k just a week before her last chemotherapy session, with her bald head and the phone number for the acute oncology team in her back pocket.
Jackie's commitment to challenging herself and pushing her own limits didn't stop there. She went on to complete overnight treks, coast-to-coast cycles, and half ironman races. For her 40th birthday, she spent 29 hours on a spin bike, and she even ran the London Marathon in 2017 in her wedding dress, having just gotten married before the race. She and her husband had decided to gift their wedding to the charities that had helped them through her cancer journey.
As Jackie approached the 10-year mark of being clear from cancer, she knew she had to celebrate in a big way. So she reset her fundraising target to £0 and set herself 10 challenges for the year, starting with running the London Marathon dressed as a bus. This race held a special significance for her, as it was the one that had helped her realize she could take control of her body again.
Despite facing logistical and health challenges, including a stress fracture, Jackie was determined to make this challenge a success. Failure was not an option. She was surrounded by her equally-nervous friends and support runners, all dressed in their makeshift bus, displaying photos of loved ones who had been through cancer and were no longer with them.
Jackie's determination and commitment to pushing herself to new limits is not just for her own personal growth, but also to inspire others to do the same. She has set up a '100k our way' movement challenge, encouraging others to complete 100 km of exercise over the next year. Her goal is to show that anything is possible when you have the right mindset and the support of those around you.
As Jackie continues on her journey, she knows that it will push her to places she has never been before. But her challenges are not just about sweat and tears, they are also about celebrating life and the memories of those she has lost. She can't stop her friends from dying, but she can honor their memory by living her best life and inspiring others to do the same. When the going gets tough, she will think of the tears, the team, and the loved ones cheering her on as she crossed that marathon finish line with her friends, breaking a world record in the process.
In that moment, Jackie was reminded that with friendship, kindness, and health, we have everything we need. You can follow Jackie's journey on her social media pages @creative888 and @jackie8, and if you want to get involved in her challenge year, she would love to have your support. Do you have a story to share? Reach out to Jackie and let her know. And share your thoughts in the comments below.
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