This September, Jake McCormack will take on the biggest physical and mental challenge of his life – the 13 Valleys Ultra, a 180km endurance run through the day, night, and every brutal climb the Lake District can offer.
He’s doing it for one reason: to support military veterans struggling with their mental health through the incredible work of Mode Rehabilitation in Stockport.
Why Jake Is Running
Two years ago, Jake wasn’t a runner. He had never done a half marathon. Never done a full marathon. Never even considered ultra-running.
Then some friends convinced him to join them on an outrageous challenge – the Sea to Summit Trilogy, running over 30 miles each day over the three biggest mountains in the UK (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon).
He threw himself in at the deep end, and something clicked. Since then he has completed multiple long-distance challenges that he never dreamed he’d be capable of, including the 7 Valleys Ultra (110km)... And now he’s stepping up to the next level.
Ultra-running has become Jake’s way to find peace, decompress from the pressures of running a business and raising five children, and push himself further than he ever believed possible. And doing it for a good cause gives it even deeper purpose.
The Challenge: 13 Valleys Ultra – 180km
On 25 September, starting at 6:00am, Jake will set off on the 13 Valleys Ultra – the toughest endurance event he has ever faced.
- Distance: 180km
- Elevation: Thousands of metres across the UNESCO-listed Lake District
- Time: Running through day and night
- Format: No stopping, no resting – just relentless forward progress
- Team: His friend Dean Forrester will be joining him so far, and more friends will be tackling the shorter distances (2, 5, 7, and 13 valley routes)
This isn’t just a run.
It’s an all-out test of resilience, endurance, and mental strength.
Why This Matters – What Your Donation Actually Does
Jake is raising £1,000 for Mode Rehabilitation, a charity providing mental-health care and crisis support for the Armed Forces community.
Just £60 allows a veteran in crisis to receive:
- Same-day referral
- A triage appointment within 3 days
- A first in-person therapy session within 5–7 days
That means £1,000 will directly help around 16 veterans receive rapid intervention at the time they need it most.
Your donation truly has a measurable, immediate impact.
Join Jake on This Journey
Here’s how you can help:
1. Donate
Anything you can spare — £5, £10, £20 — helps us reach the £1,000 goal.
2. Share
Spread this page with friends, family, colleagues, and on social media. Every share levels up the mission.
3. Support
Follow Jake’s journey as he trains, prepares, and pushes himself through the hardest challenge he has ever attempted.
Your encouragement keeps him going mile after mile.
Thank You
To everyone who donates, shares, or supports – you are helping veterans access vital mental-health care at the moment they need it most.
And you're helping Jake turn the toughest run of his life into something truly meaningful.
Organizer
