Hoylake lad to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents

Mar 3 2009 By Matt Hurst

Jack Jones

A HOYLAKE athlete is just days away from embarking on a world record week that begins with a 31 mile run through Antarctica and ends with an ultra-marathon around the streets of London.

Jack Jones and three friends are hoping to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, with their only chance of a kip on the plane in between stops.

And to make life easy, the quartet will begin their endurance challenge in Antarctica.

The 25-year-old will head to the frozen continent on March 15 and, over the following week, he will travel to Chile, Los Angeles, Sydney, Hong Kong and Johannesburg, before ending in London.

Fortunately, he is in good company as his co-runners, Oliver Dudley, Stuart Kershaw and Chris Cuddihy, are all record-breaking ocean-rowers.

Jack said: "This is something no one has attempted before and we are hoping to end up in the Guinness Book of Records.

"The rest of the team have been training and planning this for six months but I only got involved a couple of months ago when someone had to drop out of the team due to injury.

"I feel fit, I can run half marathons on a daily basis, so I am confident I can get through it, even if I have to walk some of the distance."

The team will be monitored throughout by the Guiness World Record authority, using GPS to ensure any record stands, while cameras and a blog will provide updates on their website www.7in7on7.com.

Jack hopes to raise funds and awareness for his adopted charity, Hoylake Cottage, a centre providing nursing, respite and day care for older people.