Former professional rugby player David Jackson has begun 100 ultramarathons in 100 days to raise £1m for two brain injury charities.
Jackson, known as “Jacko”, suffered a seizure on the pitch in 2013 while playing for Nottingham Rugby.
He was forced to retire from professional rugby because of the traumatic brain injury he had sustained.
Jackson, who lives near Caernarfon in Gwynedd, hopes to raise £1m for Headway UK and Head for Change through his Mission IN-possible challenge.
The challenge began in Caernarfon on 29 May, the day after his 44th birthday.
He plans to run an ultramarathon every day for 100 consecutive days, covering more than 8,450km, equivalent to running from London to Los Angeles.
Jackson is due to reach England Rugby’s Pennyhill Park training base in Bagshot, Surrey, on 27 July.
He aims to break the men’s world record for consecutive ultramarathons, although he said the challenge is about more than setting records.
Jackson said: “Everyone thinks this challenge is impossible.
“But I believe in IN-possible. That belief runs deep – and it’s something my recovery taught me.”
It took seven years after his brain injury for Jackson, who now works as a breath coach through his company Pro Breathwork, to complete his first marathon.
He is now attempting 100 ultramarathons in 100 days, a journey he describes as both physical and spiritual.
The challenge was inspired by Japan’s Marathon Monks, whose endurance practice traditionally takes seven years to build towards and culminates in a final year of extreme distance running.
Jackson said: “This feels like my own spiritual journey.
“My injury took something from me – but recovery taught me how to turn something bad into something good.”
The route was designed to bring people together across the country.
Jackson will run at 25 locations across the UK, spending four days at each site and completing the daily distance through 5km and 10km loops.
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, former Wales international and 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.”
The Mission IN-possible challenge can be followed on Instagram at @thebreathrunningcoach.
The scheduled route is:
Caernarfon, 29 May to 1 June.
Chester, 2 to 5 June.
Manchester, 6 to 9 June.
Keswick, 10 to 13 June.
Glasgow, 14 to 17 June.
The Cairngorms, 18 to 21 June.
Edinburgh, 22 to 25 June.
Newcastle, 26 to 29 June.
Harrogate, 30 June to 3 July.
Leeds, 4 to 7 July.
Sheffield, 8 to 11 July.
Nottingham, 12 to 15 July.
Northampton, 16 to 19 July.
Harpenden, 20 to 23 July.
West London and Pennyhill Park, 24 to 27 July.
Horsham, 28 to 31 July.
Bournemouth and Swanage, 1 to 4 August.
Exeter, 5 to 8 August.
St Ives, 9 to 12 August.
Barley Wood, 13 to 16 August.
Bristol, 17 to 20 August.
Bath, 21 to 24 August.
Newport, 25 to 28 August.
Aberystwyth, 29 August to 1 September.
Caernarfon, finishing at the Castle, 2 to 5 September.
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