Running for purpose: Gino takes on the TCS London Marathon for Blueprint for All

With the TCS London Marathon approaching, excitement is in the air. Not just for the race itself, but as a test of resilience and willpower, the ultimate physical challenge. This year, we are privileged to have amazing supporters running to raise money for Blueprint for All, making a commitment to help create a more inclusive future.

We recently caught up with Gino, one of our runners, who shared with us his motivations for taking part in one of the UK’s most iconic annual events, along with a rundown of his training challenges and running goals.

When Gino signed up for the London Marathon, he knew it had to be for a cause he truly believes in. So, despite never running a marathon before, he laced up his trainers and committed to take on one of world’s most legendary races. “Talk about a hard launch taking part in the London Marathon. It’s an event I’ve always wanted to take part in and this year it lands on my birthday – double milestone! When I received the link to apply for a spot running on behalf of Blueprint for All I couldn’t pass up the opportunity and immediately applied. When my application was accepted, I couldn’t say yes quick enough!”

For a lot of people, running is a personal fitness goal, while for Gino, it means more than that: “running is more than a means to staying fit and healthy. It allows me to see things clearly – it’s an escapism from daily stresses.”

Gino has been following Blueprint for All’s work for a while, and the decision to run came from a genuine connection to our mission. “As a South African, I have seen first-hand the impact of growing up in a society where not everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.” He was drawn to the way Blueprint for All fights for a more inclusive future, and puts community at the heart of everything it does. “I believe that Blueprint for All strives to create a more equal society in which everyone can thrive. In today’s world the work the organisation does is more important than ever before so being able to represent Blueprint for All on marathon day means a whole lot more to me!”

How to Prepare for London Marathon?

For Gino, marathon training has become more than just preparation for race day, quickly becoming a rewarding journey that taught him about perseverance and motivation. “For the most part I have really enjoyed my training. The biggest challenge I’ve faced is trying to ‘keep up’ with my regular training programme. But this challenge has been overshadowed by the continuous progress I’ve made in miles covered!”

Marathon training comes with highs and lows, from early morning training runs to dealing with injuries, the journey can be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, with every run bringing him closer to both the finish line and to a deeper sense of purpose. “Marathon training is a big commitment, and you often find yourself hitting a wall. When training gets hard, I remind myself why I’m taking part: the why and who you’re running for. It’s that extra push that gets you through the hard times.“ Every mile Gino has hit in training is a reminder of the impact his marathon run will have on Blueprint for All, with every donation enabling us to create a fairer society for young people.

Now, with the TCS London Marathon just around the corner, the excitement is starting to kick in. After months of training, fundraising, and pushing himself towards his best, Gino is nearly at the start line. “ I’m mostly excited about the atmosphere – I’ve heard such incredible things about the energy supporters give you on the day. I am hoping to run a sub-4-hour marathon but considering it’s my first, my biggest goal is to enjoy the moment and give it my all!”

With training being such an important part of this journey, Gino has found that exploring new places while running can add a sense of excitement, encouraging others to embrace the journey and enjoy discovering new paths in the process. “I absolutely love running through London and its incredible parks. There’s so much to see and feel motivated by as you’re never alone and surrounded by other runners. My biggest tip would be to plan your routes & commit to a training programme.”

With the race day approaching, we asked Gino to reflect on what he has learned throughout the process, both in training and fundraising. His advice for anyone considering running a marathon for charity is to not underestimate the power of having a cause that drives them. “My advice would be to do it without any hesitation! The fundraising team is supportive and make you feel welcome into the Blueprint for All community. By running for a charity, you are given the opportunity to raise vital funds that can help the charity continue to do the incredible work they do.”

You can support Gino today by checking out his fundraising page here. If you have a challenge you would like to take on for Blueprint for All or would like to hear more about upcoming events, please contact fundraising@blueprintforall.org