Marathan man Jake raises funds for school

JAKE Powell has taken part in 11 half-marathons to raise money for the West of England School and College for young people with little or no sight.

The 33-year-old learning support worker from North Tawton, who has been employed at the school in Exeter for five years, did the events in one year and raised around £1,000.

Jake had aimed to do 12 races in 12 months but he injured his ankle after stepping awkwardly in a pothole.

He said: "I think 11 is still pretty good. I'm not the smallest person to drag around 13 miles."

Tall and muscular, Jake has always been sporty. When he was younger he represented his county in the 100m sprint.

"It's important to integrate sport into your life as much as you can," said Jake. "It makes you fit and happy."

Jake decided to run the half-marathons to raise money for the school, which is also a registered charity, because, as he said: "I'm a bit mad and I like challenging myself."

He wanted the money to go towards things that the students — aged between four and 24 years — would benefit from directly, such as braille paper, swimming floats or specially adapted bikes.

He said: "The whole country is struggling in this economic climate, but there's nothing like losing your sight."

The majority of the school's students have additional disabilities, and it is Jake's job to help them maximise their potential.

"We want to give them opportunities to excel in things you might not dream they would achieve, such as the Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge on Dartmoor," said Jake, a keen walker who is helping to run Ten Tors for the second year in a row. "It's a life-changing experience and we're here to create those for people."

Jake's job keeps him quite active as he is often on his feet. But he had to train hard for the half-marathons, by going to the gym three times a week and running in the hilly countryside near his home. At his peak, Jake was running 100 miles a week.

"Doing half-marathons toughens your mind," he said. "You've got to get up to train even when it's cold and raining."

He used to weigh 19st but after all the training, he dropped to 16st.

He got fitter as his year of runs progressed. At the beginning, he was completing the courses in around two hours and 30 minutes. But his best time was two hours and four minutes.

Jake did not restrict what he ate but he tried to have as much healthy food as possible, and he ate "tons" of pasta.

Jake also had plenty of moral support throughout his challenge from his wife, Melinda. The half-marathons he took part in included the Great West Run in Exeter, Dartmoor Vale in Newton Abbot, and ones in Torbay, Launceston and Taunton.

He said: "I love running in the countryside when you can see for miles. Afterwards you feel brilliant because of the achievement and of raising money for your cause."

Jake is currently giving his body a well-deserved rest, but he said: "One of my challenges for the future is to do the Everest Marathon, which is from base camp downhill."

He said the advice he gives other runners is the same as the school's ethos: "There's no such thing as 'you can't' do something."