Jimmy Gibson took part in an astonishing “Goggins Challenge” in Gateshead over the Bank Holiday weekend
After a year marked by the loss of both his son and his father, Gateshead’ s Jimmy Gibson has taken on a gruelling running challenge to raise money for mental health and cancer charities.
Jimmy, 53, lost son Lee last year aged just 30. He had struggled with his mental health. His dad Lesley died due to cancer in March 2022. With the support of friends Paddy Lishman, Smokie Drummond, Rob Bell, Stephen Bartley and Graham Alderson – all of whom grew up near the Chandless Estate in Gateshead – Jimmy took on the infamous Goggins Challenge around Tyneside over August 26 and 27.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Jimmy said the team was “shattered but overwhelmed” by the support they had received. “We’ve been based at a friend’s Airbnb near the Staiths in Dunston, so we’ve started a few of the runs from there. It’s been amazing.”
The challenge, popularised by an ex-Navy SEAL David Goggins in the US, sees participants take on twelve consecutive four mile runs every four hours for two days. This means sleep is at a premium.