There is a particular kind of faith that puts on trainers and runs 26.2 miles for someone they have never met. It is the faith of CAFOD's London Marathon team — and this year, three of their runners have shared the stories behind their miles.

Alice, Claire, and Matthieu each have their own reasons for running, but they share a common conviction: that the work CAFOD does — supporting communities in crisis, advocating for justice, responding to emergencies — is worth every blister and every early morning training run. For Alice, it is about solidarity with communities she has visited. For Claire, it is about faith in action. For Matthieu, it is simply that 'running for CAFOD just made sense.'

The London Marathon is one of the great fundraising events in the world, and the Christian charities that field teams every year are a visible reminder that faith motivates generosity. CAFOD's presence on the course is a statement: that the Catholic community in England and Wales is committed to the poor, not just in words, but in sweat and sacrifice.

If you are looking for a way to support CAFOD's work this spring, sponsoring a marathon runner is one of the most direct ways to do it. And if you happen to be near the course on race day, look out for the CAFOD vests — and cheer loudly. Those runners are carrying more than their own weight.