The London Marathon is back for Kent running lovers on Sunday, October 4 - but this time with a virtual twist.

The expected 46,000 UK participants in the race will be asked to take part in their local areas instead of the capital city, while respecting social distancing rules.

Those taking on the virtual 2020 London Marathon will have 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds - from 00:00 to 23:59:59 BST - to remotely run, walk or jog 26.2 miles.

Jo Barnett, Executive Director at Virgin Money Giving, said: “Despite the ever-changing environment, it’s hugely uplifting to see thousands of fundraisers going all out for causes that are important to them. Charities rely on this support to continue their work.

“UK charities are really struggling with the loss of revenue as a result of Covid-19, so it’s more important than ever to show our support and dig deep, if we can.”

Here are some campaigns you can support when runners hit the track tomorrow.

Jodie Crane for East Kent Strokes

Jodie Crane, 41, will be running from Ashford to Maidstone for the charity which took care of her goddaughter, Caitlin, after a stroke at just four-years-old.

Caitlin was diagnosed with a heart murmur at two-years-old, after which she had her first of many surgeries. East Kent Strokes (EKS) has supported her since her first stroke and her second at 13-years-old while waiting for a tooth extraction.

Now aged 14, Caitlin has a pacemaker but is in dire need for a heart transplant.

The Maidstone runner said: “Caitlin is the most determined person I have ever met, and I am truly honoured to be able to give something back.

“She has the most amazing outlook and can-do attitude and I want to push myself completely out of my comfort zone, while raising funds to help this amazing charity support other local families in the area.”

To donate and support Jodie, you can visit her donation page here .

Amber Henry for Lymphoma Action

Shortly after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his mid 40s, Amber's father died, missing out on his dream to run the London Marathon if he recovered.

Amber Henry, from Gravesend, was training to run for the marathon before it was cancelled in March, so was delighted to hear the new date was announced so she can run the 26 miles in her dad's place .

She said: "For the past few years I've tried to get in the ballot but this year I approached the charity directly - you have to explain why you would like to do it, and fortunately I got a place.

"I hope people will come and cheer me on. I have moments of being very confident because I have faith in the training I've done, but if I have to walk it's fine. Next year will be the real deal."

Amber will be running a route which goes all the way around Gravesend and Shorne and then down to Ebbsfleet for Lymphoma Action. Her Just Giving page can be found here .

Dawn Granger for Scotty’s Little Soldiers

Dawn Granger, from Gravesend, will be running her 12th marathon this weekend in support of bereaved Armed Forces charity, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, in thanks for their support to her close friend.

Angela Nicholls and her two children Cameron, 16, and Erin, 14, lost father and husband Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls in 2006 after he was killed in Afghanistan. Since his death, the children have been supported by the charity through the toughest time of their lives.

Dawn wants to raise what she can while running a 5k route in her local park eight times.

She added: “My training hasn’t been ideal with lockdown, it’s definitely picked up over the last few weeks, but I’m definitely going to invite people to join me running at different points to support me.”

The charity provides support such as access to health and wellbeing care, educational support and delivering development opportunities through a range of activity and educational grants, as well as running events to put smiles back on the children's brave faces.

Dawn's Just Giving page for Scotty’s Little Soldiers can be found here .

Bronwen, Tracy, Trevor and Julie for The Martha Trust

The Martha Trust has the support of four runners in Dover this weekend .

Bronwen Lafferty, had surgery just eight weeks ago but is taking on the challenge alongside her best friend Tracy Masson, who works for the charity which provides lifelong care for adults with disabilities.

Bronwen said: "I’m not planning on rushing this one but will enjoy taking part for Martha Trust, running with my best friend and running buddies.”

Father of two Trevor Parker from Sandwich and Victoria Hendrick who works at Discovery Park are also ready to roll for the event.

Julie Gayler, deputy chief executive of Martha, said: "After so much uncertainty around the London Marathon we were delighted that the Virtual Marathon was organised in its place.

"We would not be able to support so many vulnerable adults without their commitment and huge generosity. We would not be able to support so many vulnerable adults without their commitment and huge generosity.”

You can donate to The Matha Trust here .

Alex Skinner for Family Matters

An accountant at Perrys Chartered Accountants will be running the virtual marathon on behalf of the company to raise money for Family Matters.

Alex Skinner is a keen runner and has chosen to follow a 26 mile route through the local towns and villages of the Medway area.

Alex, who hopes to finish the virtual London Marathon in under four hours, said: “I know it’s going to be a really tough challenge, but also very exciting. I managed to complete the Brighton Marathon in exactly four hours so I’m hoping to try to equal this if possible.”

Perrys has raised more than £25,000 for Family Matters since 2016 and hopes to support the charity's call to raise £300,000 per year to keep operating. They will use the money to fund support services, including free one to one counselling sessions to those who have been affected by sexual abuse or rape.

To find Alex's donation page and support his run, click here .

Mandy Rossi and Claire Higgins for The Retreat Animal Sanctuary and The MS Trust

A 'bucket list' goal for Mandy has been to run the London Marathon, and now after running four days a week, enlisting her buddy Claire and a support team at the ready, they're all set to go.

Mandy, from Ashford, said: "Claire has chosen to support The MS Trust and I’m raising money for The Retreat Animal Sanctuary.

"They’re based in High Halden, so a local charity, and one that means a lot to me. It is probably one of my favourite places to hang out in the constituency and they do such great work.

"Naturally, like all of us, they’ve been hit financially throughout the Covid crisis, so I’m using this as an opportunity to raise some much needed funds."

To support Claire and Mandy in their run by donating to their charities, click here .

Swale Action to End Domestic Violence

To raise awareness and funds for domestic abuse, three members of the Swale Action to End Domestic Abuse (SATEDA) team in Medway and six in Swale are going the extra mile.

The Medway team are all set to run around Gillingham Park, Park Avenue, 52 times on the day of the marathon.

The Swale team will start from the Bredgar Farm Shop and continue through Sittingbourne and Iwade to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey where they will make a brief stop at Masters House in Trinity Road around noon. They will then head back to Milton Creek Country Park aiming to finish around 2pm.

The charity provide support, advice and guidance for victims of domestic abuse across the globe.

To support the SATEDA Warriors visit their Just Giving page .

John and Steph Gill

Husband and wife John and Steph Gill will also be tackling the virtual marathon on the Isle of Sheppey with their Beginners To Runners buddies Nichola Lassnig, Alex Holmes, Rachel Valerio and Rhonda.

Team Gills will kick off at 9am and are hoping to finish at 3pm.

John, from Minster, said: "Please come out and safely support us somewhere along the route or give us a hoot if you’re driving past. When running London it brings crowds of people lining the streets cheering you on but we won’t have that on our virtual marathon this year."

Steph, a mum-of-two, said: "I am running for my dad who I lost to myeloma in 2008."

The KM Group is committed to helping the community through the KM Charity team. For more information and to find out what other good causes you can get involved in click here.

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