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Rugby Star's 100 Ultramarathons for Brain Injury Charity
20 Aug
Summary
- David Jackson ran 100 ultramarathons in 100 days, setting a world record.
- He aims to raise £1 million for charities supporting brain injury survivors.
- Jackson suffered a career-ending brain injury from a rugby collision.
David Jackson, a former professional rugby player, has completed an unprecedented challenge by running 100 ultramarathons in 100 consecutive days. This extraordinary accomplishment has set a new world record, surpassing the previous mark of 80 ultramarathons. Jackson's grueling endurance test, which involved running 50km daily across various locations in England, Scotland, and Wales, is a personal mission to raise £1 million for two vital charities, Headway UK and Head for Change.
His motivation stems from a severe brain injury sustained during a rugby training session over a decade ago. The incident led to a bleed on the brain and short-term memory loss, forcing Jackson to retire from his 12-year professional career. The injury profoundly impacted his daily life, causing difficulties with simple tasks and significant emotional distress for him and his wife, Catherine.
Jackson's challenge has garnered significant support, with over 700 people joining him at different points, including former teammates and strangers inspired by his cause. The journey has been physically demanding, especially during unusually hot British summer weather and navigating a tendon injury. He is using his experience to highlight the widespread need for support for the estimated 500 people in the UK who go to hospital daily with brain injuries.
