On Sunday 27th April, Reverend Neil Jones, the minister of Barrow Baptist Church, ran the London Marathon. He told Barrow Voice, "It was such a fantastic event and the crowds supporting were incredible! It was hot on the day (good weather for the spectators!) and the views were fantastic!"

The London Marathon is 26.2 miles (42.195km) around some of London's most iconic landmarks. When asked "Why would you want to do this?", Neil replied, "I have been running for eight years now and always said that if I were to run a marathon it would have to be London. Sadly, after missing out on a place several years running, I ran the Paris marathon last year (a very good event too). So having got a marathon 'out of my system', I wasn't planning on another one, however, the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS World Mission), who we support as a church, got a place for this year's London Marathon. They sent out an email asking for anyone who would like to do it and raise funds for them. With only slight hesitation I agreed and got into training!"

BMS World Mission mobilises people, resources and skills across the Global Church to share the good news of Jesus and practical hope where they're needed most. Neil has wonderful memories of the day and would probably do it again, “though not next year”, he says!

Neil Jones