John Jardine
Brathay 10in10 Athlete
My name is John Jardine. My day job is Landscape Gardening and my night job is as a dairy farmer. I am currently on a 1 year leave of absence as a retained Fire Fighter. I have also recently taken up the post as Chair of the Duddon Parish Council. I believe that fundraising for the local area is paramount to providing young people a wealth of opportunities that I was fortunate enough to take for granted.
I first developed a love for running at a very young age, always striving to challenge myself and to push my limits. I enjoyed being captain of the cross-country running team at junior and senior school, and have kept up with this passion as an adult. I have completed several marathon distances in the UK and New Zealand and have represented Cumbria at the national cross-country championships and, for many years, placed on the podium at the Cumbria Winter League Fell Running Event. As of yet, I have not competed in an official marathon, therefore for my first registered event, why not do 10 in 10!
I first learnt of Brathay Trust and the amazing work they do through supporting a friend taking part in the Brathay 10in10 in 2021. I was blown away by the sheer willpower, talent and emotion displayed by the runners. I left the event inspired and reeling from the intense, totally immersive experience that my friend, and many other athletes were willing to put themselves through. Last year I was offered a place to run this amazing event but due to a bad Iliotibial band injury I was forced to pull out before starting the event. This year I am back, bigger, better, faster and stronger and after a lot of rehab, strength and conditioning my goal once again is to cross the finish line in front of Brathay Hall after completing 10 grueling laps of Windermere. I think it’s fair to say that 2021 and 2022 was a difficult time dealing with what was in my eyes a failed attempt and some mental health issues that crept into my life. However, with a new sense of purpose and a renewed drive to complete this event for myself and the opportunity to raise vital funds to help young and vulnerable families, I am ready to take on the 10 laps with a smile on my face (for at least 2 miles on day 1) and the belief that day 10 is just round the next corner.
I was fortunate enough to be educated at Gordonstoun School in Scotland, this opened the door for so many amazing experiences that shaped my childhood, and turned me into a young man. Gordonstoun's ethos, 'Plus est en vous', translates to 'There is more in you, than you think'. This is an ethos I have tried to maintain into my adult life. I believe all children should be given the same opportunities to discover the outside world, and that there is more in them, than they may believe. Brathay Trust gives these children opportunities I can passionately relate to, and a chance to raise funds to allow as many children to have experiences that may change the course of their lives is one I could never refuse.
The enormity of this challenge hasn't passed me by, but with one foot in front of the other I will spend my remaining time training and preparing to ensure that I can complete the event and prove to myself that my limits can still be broken.
Experience
- 2023: Brathay 10in10 Donate