Former professional rugby player David “Jacko” Jackson has embarked on a world-record-breaking endurance challenge, running 200 marathons in 100 consecutive days to raise £1 million for brain injury charities Headway UK and Head for Change.
The Mission IN-possible challenge began in Caernarfon, North Wales on May 29, the day after David’s 44th birthday, and will conclude in the same town on September 5.
At the time of publication, David was on his 62nd day of the challenge and heading to West London after running north through Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and down through Yorkshire and the Midlands.
For the first 17 days, he ran two marathons a day, covering 1,297km, before an injury forced him to slow down. Despite this setback, he has continued running 50km (31 miles) a day since and remains on track to break the current men’s world record for consecutive ultra‑marathons, a feat never achieved at this scale.
But for David, this challenge is about far more than records. In 2013, his professional rugby career was abruptly ended by a traumatic brain injury. The road to recovery was uncertain, and at times, returning to normal life felt impossible.
“Everyone thinks this challenge is impossible,” said David. “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 David to run his first-ever marathon. Now, more than a decade later, he’s on a journey he describes as both physical and spiritual. The challenge draws inspiration from the Marathon Monks of Japan, whose legendary endurance practice traditionally takes seven years to work toward, culminating in a final year of extreme distance running.
“This feels like my own spiritual journey,” he said. “My injury took something from me, but recovery taught me how to turn something bad into something good.”
A huge part of David’s recovery involved running and breathwork. But he is acutely aware that not everyone affected by brain injury has the same access to rehabilitation, or long-term support.
“I’ve experienced first-hand what recovery can look like — and I’ve also seen what happens when people don’t get that chance,” he said. “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.”
Headway UK works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support and information services, while Head for Change is dedicated to prioritising brain health in sport and supporting athletes affected by neurodegenerative conditions.
Praising David’s efforts to raise funds and awareness for both charities, Alix Popham, Co-Founder at 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.”
David hopes the challenge will inspire people to reconnect with the mindset many have as children - the belief that things are possible.
“Somewhere along the way, we stop listening to that little voice that says ‘yes, you can’,” he said.
“This challenge is a chance to listen to it again. “We are far more capable than we allow ourselves to believe. It’s time to start believing in ourselves and what’s possible again, together.”
To donate to David’s fundraising challenge, click here.