'I wondered if I could get to 100 half marathons'

A runner is preparing to meet a major milestone as he takes part in his 100th half marathon.

Jason Vickers, 56, from Burnham-on-Sea, lives with Crohn's Disease, and is taking part in the Great North Run for the 17th time later.

Mr Vickers said when he got to his 20th half marathon he thought "'I wonder if I could get to 100?' and it went from there."

He has raised almost £35,000 for the MS Society charity.

Mr Vickers said he would be wearing a union flag he has made into a cape with his achievement written on the back.

He has become well known locally for his regular training runs around Burnham and said the added benefit of running was that helped manage his Crohn's, with exercise "keeping it at bay".

Of all the 13.1 mile (21.1km) half marathons he has run, he said his hardest was competing in Torbay a few years ago when it was "blazing hot" at 29 C, but he added "you've just got to expect that every race is different from the other".

"And as long as you're hydrated, you don't suffer the consequences," he added.

He said his favourite part has been all the "lovely people" and celebrities he has met and chatted with and run alongside over the years.

He began raising money for MS after first being inspired to support the charity when a distant cousin of his from Bridgwater passed away from the condition.

He said he had since received incredible support from the community and spoken with many people who had friends and relatives suffering with the condition.

Mr Vickers sets of on his 100th half marathon on Sunday and is already looking forward to his 101th half marathon in October.

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