Jacques Bernard pictured with his dad, Tony, on a previous fundraising challenge for the Steve Bernard Foundation.
Published: March 30, 2023 | Updated: 1st April 2023
It promises to be a truly marathon feat.
Today primary school teacher Jacques Bernard will begin his attempt to run three marathons in 24 hours, a total distance of 78.6 miles.
The 31-year-old is undertaking the challenge to raise £15,000 for the Steve Bernard Foundation.
The sports charity was established in memory of his brother, Steve, pictured left, who died in a road accident 18 years ago.
He was 18 and had been studying at the University of Chichester to be a PE teacher.
Jacques, a Trustee of the charity, will set off from Bournemouth Pier at 5pm today.
His 20-mile loop will take him through Branksome Chine, Penn Hill, Parkstone, Alderney, Longham, Parley, Hurn, Iford, Pokesdown, Boscombe Pier and then back to Bournemouth Pier.
He’ll be accompanied throughout by friends and supporters working on a rota system.
Jacques plans to complete four loops with a break between each one.
Already more than £8,300 has been raised from 250+ people while fundraising activities at his Poole school – Baden-Powell & St. Peter’s Junior School – have added at least a further £2,600.
Jacques, who lives in Moordown, Bournemouth, said: “I feel a combination of excitement and trepidation.
“Sport has always been my passion and I’ve trained my socks off for this.
“I just don’t want to let people down.
“I’ve done the London Marathon a couple of times and, in 2019, did seven marathons in seven days.
“But this will be the hardest challenge I will have put myself through.
“It will push my ability, physically, mentally and nutritionally.”
The fundraising challenge at Baden-Powell & St. Peter’s Junior School involved the 720 pupils running the accumulative distance being undertaken by Jacques.
Family and friends sponsored them to hit their target amount of laps.
They were also encouraged to wear yellow and gold, Steve’s favourite colour as a Wolves supporter.
“I found it to be quite an emotional day,” said Jacques.
The Steve Bernard Foundation supports sporting projects across Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex.
Since it was founded in 2006 the charity has raised over £590,000 and supported more than 650 sporting projects.
