An IT consultant and father of two from Wilmslow is extremely excited to have been selected by ASICS 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 and has been selected as the sole UK amateur runner.
The event is a unique relay race featuring eight intercontinental teams who will battle it out around a multi-terrain course in an attempt to become the first to beat the sun around iconic Mont Blanc in the time between sunrise and sunset on June 21st.
Competing against each other and nature's clock, the teams have just 15 hours, 41 minutes and 35 seconds to cover the 130km course. Each runner will complete two relay sections of between 4,5km and 17km, across varied altitude and terrain - including trail, road and alpine - whilst crossing France, Italy, and Switzerland.
James is a keen amateur athlete who enjoys running, cycling, swimming and hitting the gym. Having recovered from cancer in his 30's he has gone on to complete a variety of tough sporting challenges, including long distance bike rides and two marathons, but will be pushed to his limits in Chamonix.
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.
He said: "I am extremely excited to be part of the 'ASICS Beat The Sun' relay around Mont Blanc, and I can't wait to train and compete alongside professional athletes and amateurs. Having completed several tough sporting challenges following my cancer diagnosis 6 years ago, when I read about this opportunity I applied immediately! I love to see children and adults participate in sport, particularly running as it is inclusive to all and great for fitness. I hope I can inspire my two daughters and others to get outside and run."
He will be travelling to Chamonix, France on June 16th to train with the team and will be competing on 21st, the longest day of the year.
Speaking about his preparations, James told wilmslow.co.uk "I stepped up my running training a month ago and am now running 40-50km per week including hill runs. I ran the Buxton half-marathon at the weekend in my Wilmslow Running Club colours and you might see me running around the Edge over the next few weeks.
"It is fortunate that amidst the Cheshire plains we have a few challenging hills and trails to run!"
Thousands of runners applied for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before 50 semi-finalists were selected by ASICS trail experts, with the final 24 amateurs chosen following a public vote and an assessment of their motivation to take part.
Three amateur runners and three expert athletes will make up each of the eight intercontinental teams, with three teams from Europe, two from America and one from Oceania, Asia and Africa.
James Macdonald will represent the UK alongside professional marathon runner Matty Hynes who finished 17th in last year's London Marathon. Over the coming weeks Hynes – who has a personal best marathon time of 2:16 - will mentor James, providing him with important advice in preparation for the challenge.
This year a number of former Olympians will be taking part in ASICS Beat the Sun as expert runners. These include former Olympian Ryan Hall, who holds the record for the fastest marathon by an American - sub 2:05 - 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medallist Deena Kastor and multiple World Champion Dutch sprint speed skater Erben Wennemars.
The ASICS Beat the Sun race in Chamonix will be broadcast live on ASICS' digital and social channels, and video reports of the race will be distributed on various global networks.
