Medal revealed as runners and walkers get ready for Wigan charity's virtual challenge

With the cancellation of Run Wigan Festival due to the coronavirus pandemic, Joining Jack decided to hold a different event for its supporters.

It launched its 13 For 13 challenge, where people were asked to run or walk the distance of a half marathon - 13.1 miles - to celebrate the 13th birthday of the charity’s inspiration Jack Johnson.

Participants are now under starter’s orders, as the challenge can be done at any time during March, either all at once or broken into smaller chunks.

Runners and walkers can follow the official Wigan half marathon course or do their own route and the challenge is open to people of all ages.

Nearly 300 people have already signed up and registration will remain open until the end of March for people who want to take part.

It costs £13 to enter and money raised will be used to help fund research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the devastating muscle-wasting condition that Jack has.

Organisers hope to repeat the success of last year’s virtual Run Wigan Festival, which raised £28,000 for the charity.

Usually the festival sees people take on a half marathon, 10-miler, 5k or family mile on the streets of Wigan, but this is the second time it cannot be held due to the pandemic.

The charity also organises the popular Wigan Bike Ride and Wigan 10k, which attract thousands of participants each year.

To sign up for the 13 For 13 challenge, go to www.runwiganfestivals.co.uk.

After covering the distance, people can log finishing times and submit evidence of their runs, such as photographs or a Strava screenshot, to www.theentrypoint.co.uk or to Joining Jack by the end of March. Medals will be posted out from April.

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