I ran eight marathons in eight days

A MAN from Henley ran the equivalent of eight marathons across country in as many days for charity.

Matthew Jackson, 39, completed 362km by running from the Lake District to Snowdonia.

He was running for Over the Wall, a charity which provides residential summer camps for children and their families coping with serious illnesses and conditions.

Mr Jackson, a property consultant who lives in Wootton Road, said: “I had been planning it for six months but I had had it in my head for a year or so. I had to put in quite a lot of training,

“I decided to do it for Over the Wall because it gives those children the opportunity to have fun.” He has previously completed a number of long distance runs for charity.

In 2022 he ran 600km along the Greater Ridgeway Trail for Help for Heroes, raising £3,285. In 2021 he ran 130km in 24 hours to raise £4,400 for Sport in Mind and in 2020 he ran 100km over two days and raised £3,000 for the NHS.

Mr Jackson said: “Having not done anything for a couple of years, I was not sure if I was good enough but as the run went on, I felt better and better. It was about the length of a marathon every day for eight days, running and walking. I saw new places, met some wonderful people and survived Mother Nature’s attempt to break me.

“On the last two days a big storm blew in from the Irish Sea as I was rounding the coast of North Wales. I was running in torrential rain but I never really thought I wouldn’t do it.

“My body became stronger and fitter as it went on. I noticed my running shorts getting looser and I have definitely lost weight.

“At the end I was tired but in really good shape. It had been more enjoyable than the ones I had done before.”

He carried a 10kg bag filled with food, water and clothing. He used energy gels and wine gums during the day to give him energy. Mr Jackson said: “I made sure to have a sandwich break in the day and I was able to eat at the
B&Bs I stayed in along the way.

“For the first six days I carried all my own kit and my bag kept cutting into my back and was quite uncomfortable.

“On the last two days I was joined by my mother and father, so I was able to run in my running vest.

“It was an amazing adventure and I was treated to some spectacular views.

“The day before I started, I hiked over a mountain to Wasdale Head Inn. It was breathtaking and one of the best moments of the trip.

“On the last day going up Snowdonia I had to hike for 40km at a 1,700m elevation, so it was quite a way to end the challenge.

“It’s another adventure complete and my type of holiday. Besides, it wouldn’t have been a challenge without a little discomfort. I find happiness and solace in pushing myself to the extreme.”

Mr Jackson raised £2,000 and is already thinking about his next challenge.

He said: “I have a feeling there will be something else not too far down the road.

“While suffering is a by-product of these adventures, it is in those dark, bleak, gruelling moments where the discomfort level is at the savage end of the scale that you really find out the most about yourself.”