Jacques’ year of challenges
RISING to the challenge will become a monthly test for fitness fiend Jacques Pierre Menguy, who plans to raise thousands of pounds for East Cheshire Hospice.
Jacques, 28, was inspired by the feat of 25-year-old Lucy Waters who last year tackled 12 gruelling physical challenges in one year in memory of her parents who both died within weeks of each other in 2015.
And now Jacques has mapped out his own diary of monthly fitness tasks designed to push his physical capacity to the limit while supporting the hospice.
“I read about Lucy’s year of challenges in the Macclesfield Express and thought I’d really like to push myself like that,” said Jacques, an escalation specialist working with Chess ICT.
In particular, Jacques looks forward to challenging his boss, Michael Leighton, who has beaten him by seconds in races before.
The two plan to battle it out for the best time again at the Manchester 10k in May.
Other challenges Jacques has on his list include a half marathon in Liverpool and a triathlon in Clitheroe in April.
His first challenge of the year was a six-hour running challenge near Nottingham where runners are given the option to run as far as they like during the time slot.
“I managed a full marathon in around four and a half hours,” said Jacques. “Couldn’t quite believe it but it’s given me the confidence to take on another marathon.”
Jacques has also signed up for the Great North Swim in June – Europe’s biggest open water swim event at Lake Windermere; the Yorkshire Three Peaks 12-hour challenge in July and the National Three Peaks 24-hour challenge in August.
An arduous Tough Mudder obstacle race is planned for September followed by Hell Runner Up North in October – another half marathon with natural obstacles like swamps and lakes.
Last year’s hospice 12-month challenger, Lucy Waters, will be watching Jacques’ exploits closely. “It’s really cool that somebody else is doing it too,” she said, “makes me feel a little less mental.”
“It’s going to be a long year but if he just takes it one challenge at a time he’ll be fine and really proud of himself at the end of the year,” she said. “I certainly wish him the best of luck.”
Jacques has just set up his fundraising site with a £3,000 target at justgiving. com