MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
For Jake Dunne, mornings at KWCH Channel 12 usually begin with forecasting Kansas weather. But behind the familiar face on Wichita television is a journey that spans several states, a life-altering medical emergency, and a mission to combat human trafficking.
A Wichita native, Dunne’s career has come full circle. He attended Kinsler Elementary, Wilbur Middle School, and Northwest High School before interning at KWCH in the 1990s under veteran meteorologists Merrill Teller and Mark Larson. That early experience launched a television career that would take him across the country—from South Carolina and the Rocky Mountains to Michigan and the Gulf Coast—before an unexpected opportunity brought him home.
In 2019, as Teller prepared to retire, Dunne said, "I just got this email that, you know, Merrill Teller was getting ready to retire, and they were curious if I wanted to come home. And, you know, this was the summer of 2019, and you know, the rest they say is history.
A Lifelong Passion for Weather
Dunne’s interest in meteorology began early, shaped by growing up in Kansas and a fascination with tracking temperatures and storms.
"I mean, growing up in Kansas, I remember back in the day, would ride my bike during the afternoon, especially in the summer, to the local bank at the hottest part of the day and record the high temperature and log it." said Dunne.
Over the years, he refined his skills across dramatically different climates, from hurricanes along the Atlantic coast to complex mountain weather systems.
Today, Dunne explains that forecasting is a balance of science, mathematics, and communication. While modern computer models provide increasingly accurate data—often exceeding 95 percent accuracy within a 36-hour window—it is still the meteorologist’s job to interpret those models and tell a clear, engaging story for viewers, particularly during severe weather events.
A Medical Emergency That Changed Everything
On July 3, 2024, that routine was abruptly interrupted. Shortly after delivering a weather segment, Dunne experienced sudden dizziness, vision loss, and severe nausea while still in the studio. He was rushed to Wesley Medical Center and admitted to the neuro-trauma unit with stroke-like symptoms.
For more than a day, Dunne was unable to walk or see out of his right eye. Unsure if he would fully recover—or return to television—he faced what he describes as one of the most frightening moments of his life.
Within weeks, his symptoms resolved, and he returned to the air. But the experience sparked a new determination.
Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days
While recovering, Dunne made a decision that would redefine his outlook: if he could run again, he would compete in the World Marathon Challenge—seven marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days.
The challenge is as extreme as it sounds. Dunne logged nearly 200 miles in a single week, racing in conditions that ranged from subzero wind chills in Antarctica to 95-degree heat in Australia.
"We did Cape Town first and then flew to Antarctica and we did two marathons. I finished two marathons in less than 16 hours apart. So you talk about no recovery time. And Antarctica was miserable. The start time, temperature. We started at 1230 at night. It was nine degrees Fahrenheit, with the wind chill somewhere between minus 20 and minus 30-degrees." said Dunne.
Despite injuries and exhaustion, Dunne finished all seven races. He is now the only known runner from Kansas to complete the feat and one of fewer than 500 men worldwide to have done so.
Running for a Cause
Dunne’s challenge was about more than endurance. He partnered with ICT SOS, a Wichita-based nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking and supporting survivors.
The organization provides safe housing, counseling, education, and prevention outreach, particularly in communities along major interstate corridors such as I-35, I-70, and I-135—routes Dunne notes are frequently exploited by traffickers.
LINK: ICTSOS - Fighting Human Trafficking in Wichita
Funds raised through his global run continue to support ICT SOS’s work, and Dunne says he plans to advocate for the organization for as long as he is able.
Giving Back Through Running
In addition to his television career, Dunne is also a running coach, helping others train for everything from their first 5K to full marathons. He emphasizes the importance of community, accountability, and gradual progression—advice shaped by decades of experience and reinforced by his own recovery.
For Dunne, running has become more than a sport. It is a vehicle for purpose, connection, and resilience.
From forecasting Kansas storms to racing across frozen ice and desert heat, Jake Dunne’s story is one of perseverance—and proof that sometimes the most powerful journeys begin after life forces you to stop, reflect, and start again.