When The Running Channel presenter Jess Furness laced up for her first run, it wasn’t about performance, it was about peace.
“After my dad died, I’d just walk around the fields near our house,” she tells hosts Ben Parker and Anya Culling on The Runna Podcast. “It was the only time I had to clear my head.”
That simple act of movement became the thread that carried her through loss, challenge, and ultimately, transformation.
Now, Jess is in the middle of her biggest test yet: running 42 marathons in a single year to honour her late brother, Eddie, who would have turned 42 in 2025. The challenge raises funds for Big Moose, the mental health charity that supported her family, and the Air Ambulance Service, who helped during Eddie’s accident.
In this episode of The Runna Podcast, Jess opens up about running and mental health — and how the sport became a lifeline through grief, a source of purpose, and a reminder of the power of community.
“Running has given me structure, purpose and connection,” Jess says. “I’ve learned that community makes everything easier - friends, family, even strangers joining for a few miles have kept me going.”
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Whether you’re training for your first 5K, half marathon, or finding your stride again after a tough time, this conversation has something for every runner.
How running supports mental health and resilience, and why movement can be a powerful outlet for grief.
The mindset behind tackling 42 marathons in one year (and how Jess stays grounded through it all).
How to stay motivated to run when training feels tough and the role of mental resilience in long-term goals.
The role of community and connection: how friends, family, and strangers have powered her journey.
Redefining success: learning to measure progress through purpose, not pace.
Listen or watch the full episode for Jess’s reflections on running as therapy and the rituals that keep her resilient.
Looking for your next challenge? Take a look at Runna’s running training plans and set a new goal.
From Grief to Growth
Jess’s journey with running began quietly, an act of coping that evolved into a way of life.
“At first, I used exercise for control,” she admits. “Something to focus on when everything else felt chaotic. But at university, it shifted. I joined a club, made friends, and realised how much running gave me community and confidence.”
That sense of connection has been a defining theme in her story. From completing a 250km ultramarathon to breaking the sub-3-hour barrier in Berlin (after missing it once by just ten seconds), Jess’s achievements reflect more than endurance, they reflect growth.
“It took five years to get there,” she recalls. “But finally breaking it at 2:59:22 was about more than a number. It proved that consistent effort pays off.”
For Jess, running to cope with grief became running for mental health, a shift that transformed her relationship with training and herself.
The 42 Marathon Challenge
This year, Jess is taking that consistency to an entirely new level: 42 marathons in 12 months.
It’s a test of both body and mind, but one deeply rooted in purpose. Each marathon is a tribute to Eddie’s life and a message of hope for anyone navigating grief or mental health struggles.
“It’s been exhausting, but worth it,” she says. “Running has saved me more than once, and if I can help someone else find that same outlet, it’s worth every mile.”
Balancing full-time work, training, and recovery has tested her limits, but it’s community that keeps her steady.
“Friends, family, strangers - people join for a few miles or just cheer. That’s what keeps me going. Running is always easier when you don’t do it alone.”
Mental Strength and the Power of Connection
Her challenge isn’t just about endurance, it’s about opening a conversation around mental resilience in running and the benefits of running for mental wellbeing.
With every marathon, Jess hopes to normalise talking about loss, seeking help, and finding purpose through movement.
Coach Ben Parker is backing her mission in more ways than one, pledging to personally match all donations up to £20,000 made before 2 November 2025, Jess’s birthday.
Together, they’re proving what the Runna community stands for: that running is about more than pace or medals. It’s about showing up, sharing the miles, and finding strength in each other.
Watch the Full Conversation
Jess’s full interview with Ben and Anya dives deeper into the mindset behind her 42-marathon challenge, the lessons she’s learned from grief, and the small rituals that keep her grounded.
Watch now on YouTube or listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Support Jess’s 42 Marathon Challenge
Jess is raising money for Big Moose, providing free therapy to those in need, and the Air Ambulance Service.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, support is available at findahelpline.com.