68-year-old to tackle ultramarathon for Christian Aid in final charity run

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Determined Dorset fundraiser Eric Jager is putting his best foot forward for an ultramarathon ‘steeples chase’, to support vulnerable communities around the world.

On Saturday, October 19, the 68-year-old, who attends St Paul’s Church, in Sherbourne, will be running from before dawn to dusk, past some 25 churches, to raise money for international development agency Christian Aid.

Eric has previously completed several sponsored runs and says this one will be his last before ‘real old age’ hits him.

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He explained: “I’m aiming to do this ultramarathon ‘steeples’ chase, quadrathlon-style, which means I will run, jog, walk or stagger from the start in Sherbourne, through the Dorset countryside.

“I’ve done several charity runs in my life - increasing the distance each time - and this will be my final one. It’s going to be a challenge; I’m 68 and I aim to make this the longest run, if not in kilometres, at least in hours. I’ve been training by upping my distance and number of hours over the summer, going out three times a week.”

Eric Jager
Eric Jager

Eric came to running in his early 50s after a jog in the Netherlands.

“I caught up with an elderly looking man. He turned out to be 70 and preparing for a marathon,” Eric explained. “I could not believe my ears, but also realized I was keeping up with him so maybe I could do long distance. Two weeks later I did my first ever half marathon.”

Eric is planning to enlist friends from the Sherbourne Running Club SPFit and Trail Trotters runners to help him pace himself and navigate.

His support of Christian Aid began after he and his wife met a volunteer for the charity who had travelled to see the work of the charity’s local partners in places like South Sudan.

“He was inspirational,” Eric said. “My wife and I both worked overseas for several years and were in Khartoum, Sudan at one point. We feel an affinity with the people there and admire the way Christian Aid stands in solidarity with communities trapped in humanitarian crises. We also appreciate the way it doesn’t shy away from advocacy, here in the UK, for global issues: by engaging with UK decision-makers such as MPs; by frequently organising topical webinars; and by the way they provide creative campaign ideas for local Christian Aid Groups to engage with issues in their own communities. I’d summarize the charity’s work with the phrase ‘ faith-in-action’ , which is for me what being a follower of Christ is all about.”

Eric has set a fundraising target of £1,000. The money raised will go towards projects Christian Aid is funding, run by local partners in countries around the world.

Christian Aid supporters help millions of people in the most vulnerable communities transform their lives. Last year, the organisation reached 3.3 million people through 275 programmes, from savings and loans associations to farming co-operatives, and climate disaster risk training to healthcare schemes.

To support Eric, please visit his fundraising page Eric's Steeple Chase - Christian Aid Fundraise, ( https://fundraise.christianaid.org.uk/fundraiser-2024/ericjager ), and to find out more about the work of Christian Aid and how to get involved go to www.christianaid.org.uk.