News
May 30th 2019
Derbyshire Reservist completes ultra-marathon
Captain Uzo Ehiogu and Dr James Jack
A man from Derbyshire who also serves as a Reservist Medic has completed an ultra-marathon in Northumbria.
Dr James Jack, aged 48, serves in 144 Parachute Medical Squadron completed the gruelling 93 mile long North Tyne Trail in late May along with his friend and fellow Reservist Captain Uzo Ehiogu.
James explained: “It got really tough towards the finish in a section where we were following various urban cycle trails through the back streets of Newcastle and Wallsend. It just seemed to go on and on and our progress seemed so slow. My feet and ankles were really hurting by this point and I know Uzo was in some discomfort too, but we just kept going.
“I’d like to say I was imagining I was delivering some lifesaving ammunition or supplies, but I seemed to dwell on my pet Bengal cat called Dexter who was at home and who is very poorly and doing so seemed to make the pain in my feet recede a little.
Captain Uzo Ehiogu and Dr James Jack after completing the race
“We pushed one another on. Neither of us wanted to let the other down and failure was simply not an option.
“Finishing was pretty emotional for me, knowing that quite a few seasoned ultra-runners had withdrawn. I almost cried and that’s the truth, but I maintained my composure.”
James and Uzo managed to complete the tough trail in 32 hours with only ten minute breaks every 25km where they could refresh, change socks and eat.
However the hardest part for James was seeing other competitors finish, he explained: “There are actually two races in one, a 75Km and 150Km, so seeing happy people arriving at the 75 Km finish line and knowing we were only half way, was really tough.”
James is no stranger to a challenge having only recently joined the Reserves. He said: “This one was Uzo’s suggestion, but I’m always looking for the next challenge. We are already looking at the Original Mountain Marathon challenge and will be doing the Summer Fan Dance, which uses the same route the SAS use during their selection process.”
Interested in joining the Reserves? Call WO2 Mick Seely on 01206 816612 or email Michael.Seely129@mod.gov.uk for more information.
"It just seemed to go on and on and our progress seemed so slow. My feet and ankles were really hurting by this point and I know Uzo was in some discomfort too, but we just kept going."
