Barefoot,
carrying a cross.
THE BAREFOOT JESUS RUNNER
Running the 2027 TCS London Marathon
for Street Child, 25 April 2027
2027 LONDON
After eight years,
I am going back to London.
My name is Makoto Takeuchi. I have been running marathons dressed as Jesus Christ since 2010. In 2012 I took one step further and began running barefoot, carrying a cross.
It started as a personal challenge. Over the years it became something bigger: a way to make people smile, to start conversations, and to help children.
17th year
of running for charity,
barefoot with a cross
14th
major marathon
challenge
£12,900+
donated to charities
through the London Marathon
¥400,000
donated to the Japan
Committee for UNICEF
MY STORY
Why I keep running
01
How it began
I have finished the Tokyo Marathon six times, the Berlin Marathon once and the London Marathon five times, and I have also taken on the New York City Marathon.
With the help of many wonderful supporters, we have raised more than £12,900 for charities including Children in Crisis, St John Ambulance and Street Child, and ¥400,000 for the Japan Committee for UNICEF. Every one of those donations came from someone who believes that all children have the right to a better future.
02
Everything stopped
The pandemic changed the world. In 2020 I ran the virtual London Marathon from Japan, but I could not travel to London. In 2021, travel restrictions meant I could not take part at all.
I kept supporting Street Child, and I kept believing that one day I would return.
03
Back to London
That day has come. In 2027 I will return to the London Marathon, proud to run for Street Child.
I believe education is the greatest gift we can give a child. It creates possibility, builds hope and opens the way to a future. And I believe that education, knowledge and love have the power to end conflict at its roots.
26.2 MILES / 42.195 KM
Not for a personal best.
Not for a medal.
I am running so that more children can have the chance to learn.
Thank you, from my heart, for joining me on this journey.
STREET CHILD
Safe. In school. Learning.
Every child deserves the chance to learn.
Street Child helps children in some of the world's most difficult places to be safe, to go to school and to keep learning.
Every donation, large or small, helps bring education and hope to the children who need it most.
HOW TO DONATE
Support Street Child
If you would like to support my run, please donate through my fundraising page.
OFFICIAL PAGE
My fundraising page
Your donation goes directly to Street Child.
CHALLENGE
My marathons so far
TOKYO
2010–2014
NEW YORK
2012–2013
LONDON
2015–2027
Makoto Takeuchi — The Barefoot Jesus Runner from Japan
I run for children who struggle to get an education.