Feature'It's been incredible' - LFC fan diagnosed with brain tumour aims to run length of India

The 32-year-old was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in March 2019 and is now completing this epic adventure in Asia not only for charity but for himself.

Jack suffered a seizure while riding a bike to work in Australia before being given the news of his terminal diagnosis, having suffered no previous symptoms.

He has since started living a healthier life and found running, beginning with 5km and 10km runs and moving upwards to ultramarathons, ahead of completing a 650km effort in just 14 days across the coast of South Africa last year for charity.

His latest effort involves running around 4,000km, from the northern tip of India in the mountains of Ladakh to – all being well – finishing at the southern tip of the nation in Kanyakumari, with the aim to finish in 80 days.

The challenge so far has seen Jack complete around 50km per day, supported by a small network of people – Fred, Dan, Devin, Jake and Jordan – and if successful, he will become the first person to run the length of India.

"I've learned a lot over the past six years since I've been diagnosed," Jack told Liverpoolfc.com while on the move.

"A big message from my story is that we can't choose what happens to us, but we can always choose how we respond.

"You can be a victim and feel sorry for yourself, or you can be a victor, and you can try to turn those difficult circumstances and that pain into a transformative purpose to help inspire other people that might be going through something similar."

Jack began his run on August 31 and opted for India for the challenge having travelled to the country shortly after his diagnosis, during a year-long trip around the world.

He continued: "I think in those months I went through a bit of a spiritual, physical and emotional transformation. India was a new beginning for me about who I could become following my diagnosis.

"I learnt about a lot of things – meditation, breathwork, yoga and things that have become core components to how I have lived life. It helped cultivate a sense of gratitude that even though I was going through something hugely uncertain I could still bring myself back to being grateful for what I did have."

His daily schedule in India often starts at around 5am, covering 35km by noon, and in the afternoon and evening he completes at least a further 15km – in between, taking onboard enough food and fluid to manage the mileage.

Jack admits he was immediately hit by how daunting the task at hand was in his first few days.

However, a special letter penned by Liverpool head coach Arne Slot lifted spirits and aided his early push into the unknown.

"It was a really emotional read," he continued. "I think I needed that letter at that time. It was quite early on in the challenge, but we were going up and over the Himalayas and it was probably one of the most physically demanding parts.

"He sort of encapsulated the motto 'You'll Never Walk Alone' perfectly in the letter. The messages of support I've received from the Liverpool community and in general is something that keeps me going daily.

"I have an unhealthy obsession with the Reds. I'm from Cheshire but I lived in Australia for many years, and I used to wake up at three in the morning to watch games.

"I've been very lucky to go to three Champions League finals – Kyiv, Madrid and Paris. I've had some of my greatest ever memories following the club.

"The community around the club is just something else. I've been to many places around the world and visited many different supporters' clubs and it always baffles me how strong the community is wherever you go."

One of the support crew helping Jack's cause is former Liverpool physical performance coach Jordan Fairclough, who has been by his side since the start of the journey.

He has also received on-the-go support from lead performance nutritionist Clare Farell, massage therapist Michelle Wall and former physio Steve Lilley throughout his run.

"From my background in football, I am used to conservative, safe approaches to managing niggles and taking days off, decreasing load and modifying days, but with this project that hasn't been an option," Jordan told Liverpoolfc.com.

"We try to be as proactive as possible by regular massage treatment, strapping and other recovery tools. But Jack's niggles appear and disappear overnight in random places. It's really interesting to me, one day he's walking and limping for the whole day, and the next he runs 50km with no issues.

"Unless he physically cannot walk – which has only happened on one day – Jack is getting 50km per day done by any means necessary, and is being aided with walking poles, strapping and anti-inflammatory tablets if needed.

"His mindset and mental strength has been the most impressive – it's a daily reminder for me that if you can create something in your mind, you can create it in real life. We can literally do anything we put our mind to.

"He also inspires and reminds me of how our actions can inspire others too. He is doing this to show others who have received a bad diagnosis that life can still be a wild and beautiful adventure. But to experience that you must choose how you react, and by choosing to live in the best way possible, you can still live a meaningful, purposeful and memorable life.

"Running 50km in one day is not something many people on earth can do, let alone for 80 consecutive days! It's been incredible to watch up close."

At around the halfway mark of his challenge, Jack is well on course to achieve something that no-one has done before.

Along the way he has been inspired himself and continues to inspire those he comes across – from visiting local schools to being joined by runners throughout his mammoth route across India.

"I didn't come into it with any real expectations," Jack reflected. "I think one thing that has surprised me is the human body and just how resilient it is. It has this crazy ability to adapt and recover.

"It's been incredible, it's been challenging and it's been mentally and physically demanding, along with being a bit of an emotional rollercoaster too.

"We've had some real lows and some wonderful highs so far – but we've all been on that journey together."

• Fans can support the challenge here and donate to the Brainstrust on behalf of Jack here. And follow Jack on the journey on his Instagram page