The Road to London: Simon & Jackie’s Marathon Challenge

The Road to London:

A Journey of Recovery, Resilience, and a Daft Bet!

On our weekly show, Not Another Football Podcast, we made a promise to our guest Shebahn Aherne: if Celtic were crowned champions, we would lace up our trainers and tackle the London Marathon. Celtic held up their end of the bargain—and now, we have to hold up ours.

But as we stand at the beginning of The Road to London, this challenge has become about something much bigger than a lost bet between mates.

The Miracle of the Comeback
For Jackie, this isn’t just a 26.2-mile race; it is a milestone that once seemed impossible. In February 2020, Jackie’s life changed in an instant. He suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm and a subarachnoid haemorrhage—a severe bleed on the brain. After collapsing at home, he was rushed into emergency surgery and spent 15 days in Intensive Care. At the time, his family were told to prepare for the worst.

The fact that Jackie is here today is a miracle. The fact that he is now preparing to push his body to the absolute limit is a testament to his strength and the incredible care he received from the NHS. By taking on the marathon, he is proving that there is life—and incredible achievement—after a brain injury.

Making History on a Saturday
We aren't just running any race. On Saturday, 24th April 2027, we will be part of a historic moment as we join the first-ever group to run the London Marathon on a Saturday.

We aren't doing it alone, either. Since launching the podcast, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support of our guests and friends—from sporting legends like Neil Lennon, Scott Brown and John Higgins to stars of comedy and entertainment like Darren Connell and Connor Burns. They’ll be cheering us on (and likely having a laugh at our training updates) every step of the way.

Why We Are Running
We are raising vital funds for two organisations that mean the world to us:

Headway UK - the brain injury association: Having experienced the devastating impact of a brain injury first-hand, Jackie knows how vital Headway’s support is for survivors and their families. They provide the lifelines and specialist rehabilitation that help people rebuild their lives when the unthinkable happens.

The Consilium Sports Group Foundation: We believe in the power of sport to change lives. The Foundation works tirelessly to support young people from all backgrounds, giving them the opportunities, mentorship, and resources they need to find their path through sport.

Join Us on the Road
We have 32 weeks of training ahead of us. There will be sore "vintage" knees, early morning runs in the Scottish rain, and plenty of honest updates on the podcast about how we’re holding up.We are swapping the pitch for the pavement, and we would be incredibly grateful if you could join us. Whether you can spare the price of a pint or a bit more, every penny goes directly to Headway UK and The Consilium Sports Group Foundation, helping them continue their life-changing work.

The Backroom Staff
As we embark on this 32-week journey, we recognise that our 'vintage' knees and bodies will need some extra care. We’re delighted to have the team at Stirling Private Medical Group by our side, closely monitoring our health and progress every step of the way.We’re also thrilled to partner with Run Coaches Ascension Running, who will provide guidance on our running techniques and strategies, ensuring we achieve our goals safely and effectively. Additionally, our wellness and recovery partner, Wolftuna Club, will be there to support our recovery and help us stay in peak condition throughout this journey.To ensure we look and feel our best while training, Fallain Fitness is supplying us with elite performance training apparel. With the right gear, we’re ready to tackle any challenges that come our way! Plus, to keep our energy levels up during this rigorous journey, Highland Fuel Nutrition will be our go-to for endurance fuel, ensuring we stay energised and ready to give it our all.With such fantastic support, we’re excited to take on the challenge ahead!

Thank you for being part of our journey.

We’ll see you at the finish line. (hopefully)

Jackie & Simon
Not Another Football Podcast