An IT consultant and father of two from Wilmslow has reached the semi-final with a chance to participate in the largest single running challenge in the world, on the longest day of the year.
James MacDonald, 45, of Grosvenor Close, was one of nearly 60,000 runners who applied for the ASICS Beat the Sun Event which will see eight teams attempt to Beat the Sun in a relay race around Mont Blanc in France on June 21st.
James has been selected by ASICS as one of 50 amateur semi-finalists, and one of only two candidates from the UK, competing for 24 places in this annual international running event.
A professional judging panel will have the final say, selecting the amateurs based on their running ability as well as their motivation to take on the challenge. However, there is also a public vote so people can help decide who will represent their region in the race around Mont Blanc.
James, a keen amateur athlete who enjoys running, cycling, swimming and hitting the gym, is hoping to put Wilmslow on the International running map! He has been in remission from cancer for the last 6 years and believes that his fitness helped throughout his treatment and recovery.
James, who has been married to Helen for 15 years and has two daughters Charlotte and Jessica, is also Run Director at the weekly Wilmslow Junior Parkrun and a member of the Wilmslow Running Club who loves to see kids play sport and keep fit.
James told wilmslow.co.uk "Since I recovered from cancer I have been on a mini-mission to compete in some tough sporting challenges. I have played tennis non-stop for 24 hours to raise money for the Royal Marsden hospital that helped me beat cancer, I've cycled from Paris to London, cycled with amateur riders on a Team Sky training camp, completed a couple of marathons and currently training for an IronMan.
"The opportunity to compete in a relay team to run around Mont Blanc was too much of a carrot not to apply! It is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
If you would like to see James make it to the Beat the Sun live event you can vote for him on the Beat the Sun website. People can vote one time per day until Friday 20th May, so be sure to check back regularly.
