Former professional rugby player David ‘Jacko’ Jackson is closing in on the finish line of an extraordinary world-record-breaking endurance challenge that will see him run 100 ultramarathons in 100 consecutive days.
The North Wales runner hopes to raise £100,000 for brain injury charities Headway UK and Head for Change through his challenge, ‘Mission IN-possible’.
Starting on May 29 and finishing on September 5, Jacko will have spent 100 days pushing the limits of human endurance by completing a 50km ultramarathon every day without a break.
The feat has broken the current men’s world record for consecutive ultramarathons, which previously sat at 80 days, with Jacko completing his 81st ultra on August 17.
Mission IN-possible has taken Jacko across the UK, running at 25 locations- from Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol and finishing in Wales- and welcoming supporters to run alongside him.
So far he’s been joined by more than 725 supporters throughout his challenge, including fitness entrepreneur Ollie Marchon and TV presenter Ben Shephard.
And the final distance of 100 ultras will almost equate to running from London to New York!
But for Jacko, this challenge is about more than records and impressive statistics.
In 2013, his professional rugby career with Nottingham R.F.C ended abruptly due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and seizure on the pitch during a pre-season training session.
For months, he experienced symptoms including fatigue, sensitivity to light and cognitive issues, and is grateful to have recovered the way he has.
But he is acutely aware that not everyone affected by brain injury has the same access to recovery, rehabilitation, or long-term support.
Jacko said: “Mission IN-possible has not been easy and has been a huge stress on the body- but it is nothing compared to the brain injury that I recovered from back in 2013.
“And it is nothing compared to someone who may never recover fully from their injury.
“That’s why this challenge is for Headway UK and Head for Change – and for the people whose lives are changed forever by brain injury.
“These two charities support individuals and their families affected by brain injury, and work to improve life after brain injury.”
It took seven years after his brain injury for Jacko to run his first-ever marathon.
Now he is close to completing 100 ultramarathons in as many days, running the daily distance through 5km and 10km loops.
Jacko will finish Mission IN-possible on Saturday, September 5 at Caernarfon Castle.
He will be in Caernarfon over the below dates:
- September 2 to September 5- Caernarfon Castle, Castle Ditch, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 2AY
Jacko said: “The thing I’m most proud of is the people who have come to join me and my wife Catherine, who is my main support crew. To be joined by over 700 people- from eight-years-old to 80- makes this challenge so special and has kept us going each day.
“The overall goal is to change lives; to help those affected by brain injury, to change the recovery process for someone in the future.
“Completing Mission IN-possible only matters if it helps change the awareness and understanding of brain injuries.”
Helen Craig, Fundraising Manager at Headway UK, said: “Jacko has firsthand experience of the challenges that come from living with a brain injury. His determination to turn such a difficult period of his life into something so positive is truly inspiring.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Jacko for taking on this extraordinary challenge. His efforts will help us to continue supporting people rebuilding their lives after brain injury, as well as raise crucial awareness of the reality of brain injury, all while bringing communities together across the UK.
“Everyone at Headway UK is incredibly proud of Jacko, who we’ll be cheering on every step of the way!”
Alix Popham, founder of Head for Change, said: “This is an unbelievable challenge, and full credit to Jacko for taking it on.
“Both charities are here to support people affected by brain injury, and that’s what it’s all about.
“We’re really looking forward to joining him for the final couple of days around Newport alongside friends and family.
“Wishing him the very best of luck as he completes this incredible journey.”
Donate to the challenge at: https://givestar.io/gs/mission-in-possible-2-marathons-a-day-for-100-days
