A civil engineer from Tiptree is to embark on a series of gruelling challenges later this year with the aim of raising key funds for former and current Service Personnel.
John McVelia, 51, will compete in the Ultra Challenge Series, a series of seven races spread across the south of the United Kingdom.
John dreamed of joining the RAF as a boy. Despite his career path heading in a different direction he always retained his support for the Armed Forces; his family connections include several cousins who have served and one who was awarded the Military Cross for heroism in Iraq in 2007.
This spurred John on to raising money for the military charity, Help for Heroes, who assist Veterans and serving Service Personnel on their recovery from mental and physical injuries.
He said that there was also a voice in his head that said he was “overweight, unfit and never going to get better” and this helped direct him towards the grand challenge.
“I had been running for a while but was never particularly great at it. Nevertheless, I gave it a go, become part of a club, and ran wherever possible. Then last October I was sitting watching an ultra-run on TV and I thought to myself that I would love to give one a go. It gave me something to aim for“ he said.
John will run in various locations including circumnavigating the Isle of Wight, the Thames Pathway, and the Jurassic Coast.
He originally only intended to enter one of the events, but after realising that he would have to take part in all of them, he promptly signed up.
After drafting a meticulous training plan which consisted of a staggering eighty events including park runs, sub 10-mile events and longer competitions John has garnered more than 1,500 miles in his legs.
