Havant and South Downs College teacher runs virtual marathon for kidney charity

Bianca Junge, who teaches psychology at Havant and South Downs College, had spent months training to run the marathon only to be left disappointed after the rearranged October event was cancelled for fun runners due to Covid restrictions.

However Bianca decided to take up the option of running a virtual marathon closer to home in order to raise money for Kidney Care UK.

Bianca said: ‘This year I was lucky to be given a club place by my running club, so I didn't have to fundraise to secure a spot. However, a fellow runner and I decided to raise some funds for the Alton-based kidney charity.

‘Unfortunately, in August the organisers announced that the London Marathon would be an elite only race. All others were given the option to complete it as a virtual race in their hometown. As I had trained all year, I decided to map a marathon route around Alton and to complete the distance.

SEE ALSO: Principal is delighted at success of St Vincent College, Gosport's online Open Event

As well as tackling the gruelling 26 mile distance, Bianca also had to endure stormy conditions.

She added: ‘The weather on the day was horrendous. I had to manoeuvre through deep puddles, and the rain wouldn't stop. Despite the wet feet, knee-deep puddles and the exhaustion, I would do it all over again. It was such a memorable day and I can't thank my support crew enough.

Click here to donate to Bianca’s cause.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as our new Puzzles section.