The course of Jack Faint’s life dramatically shifted at Melbourne’s historic Flinders Street Station. In March 2019, while cycling to work, the British ultramarathoner suffered a seizure. This unexpected incident set him on a remarkable path, one that now sees him embarking on a challenging 4,000-kilometer journey on foot across India, from the majestic mountains of Ladakh to the southern tip of Kanyakumari.
He vividly recalls collapsing outside the station, only to awaken in a hospital bed with a severe gash and no memory of the event. ‘They simply told me they’d perform a CT scan and await the results,’ recounts Jack, who recently passed through Bengaluru on the 61st day of his epic run.
The scan’s findings were grim: a suspicious spot on the back of his brain demanded immediate investigation. The diagnosis was an oligodendroglioma – ‘a slow-growing brain tumor, accounting for 2-5% of all primary brain tumors,’ Jack explains with a touch of dark humor.
He notes, ‘If there’s such a thing as a ‘good’ brain tumor diagnosis, this is likely it, given its slow growth and less aggressive nature.’
At just 25, Jack, grappling with the devastating news, asked his neurosurgeon what steps he could take for a positive prognosis. ‘In that moment,’ he recalls, ‘my neurosurgeon shed her clinical role and truly connected with me as a human, recognizing a young man in desperate need of a life-altering change.’
Her advice was comprehensive: reduce alcohol, quit smoking, adopt a plant-based organic diet, and begin meditating. It was, as Jack describes, ‘a complete holistic lifestyle overhaul.’
Overwhelmed by fear and sorrow, he embarked on a transformative journey, spending six months in South America before dedicating four months to exploring India, visiting vibrant cities like Mumbai, the serene landscapes of Kerala, Chennai, Puducherry, Kolkata, Varanasi, Agra, Rishikesh, and Jaipur.
He reflects, ‘Many of the practices I discovered in India, such as meditation and breathwork, became cornerstones of my life. They were instrumental in navigating the uncertainty of my diagnosis, fostering deep gratitude, and embracing a significantly more positive outlook.’
Embracing a Healthier Path
Upon returning to Cheshire, Northwest England, Jack committed to a healthier lifestyle, integrating CrossFit and running into his routine. He gradually increased his mileage, progressing from 5K and 10K races to challenging half and full marathons.
‘Whenever I arrived in a new city while traveling, my first instinct was to lace up my shoes and go for a run,’ he shares. Jack, much like acclaimed author Haruki Murakami, views running as a meditative practice.
In early 2021, he took on the demanding Goggins Challenge, an endurance event created by the inspiring retired U.S. Navy SEAL and motivational speaker, David Goggins. The challenge requires participants to run four miles every four hours for 48 hours, often coupled with personalized fundraising campaigns for chosen charities.
‘It was incredible,’ Jack recounts. ‘We managed to raise between £17,000 and £18,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity in the UK.’ He describes this challenge as a pivotal moment, realizing that ‘running could truly be a catalyst for change.’
Shortly thereafter, during an Ayurvedic retreat in Sri Lanka in January 2022, Jack discovered Christopher McDougall’s bestselling book, Born to Run. This influential work posits that humans are naturally predisposed to endurance and ultra-running.
‘I recall finishing that book and, within about 30 minutes, I’d already signed up for an ultramarathon,’ Jack shares. His journey began with an 80-kilometer race in the UK in April 2022, leading to ‘monumental races in 2023,’ including a 120-kilometer trek across the Azores islands and a 250-kilometer ultra through Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert—an experience he describes as ‘one of the most special I’ve ever had.’
The Call of India
The challenging run in Jordan ignited the idea of traversing the entire length of India—a nation profoundly instrumental in his personal healing. ‘However, I understood that such an immense undertaking required a proper test of my capabilities,’ explains Jack, who by then had relocated to Cape Town after meeting his girlfriend during a South Africa trip.
He enlisted the expertise of ‘highly talented’ coaches, dedicating himself to intense gym training and extensive road running. In April, he successfully completed a 650-kilometer, 14-day run along the South African coast, a crucial test for his ambitious Indian endeavor. ‘I gained invaluable insights into logistics, organization, my body’s limits, and areas for improvement,’ he states.
Jack devoted the subsequent year and a half to preparing for his Indian odyssey, including several months recuperating from an injury before resuming his rigorous training. Funding the expedition was another significant hurdle, met through a combination of his personal savings, his parents’ support, and contributions from a few smaller sponsors.
‘We’ve also initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which has received generous donations,’ Jack mentions. ‘While we’re still a bit short, I always knew this was a financial risk worth taking, for numerous reasons.’ He plans to raise funds for two charities: Brains Trust in the UK and former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s YouWeCan. ‘Every surplus penny, once expenses are covered, will be equally divided between these two incredible causes.’
Jack plunged into the run with full commitment, despite an immediate logistical setback. ‘Ladakh had suffered the worst rains in 55 years, washing away several roads in Himachal Pradesh,’ he explains. This left his two camper vans, meant for sleeping and cooking, stranded nearly 600 kilometers away in Mandi. The only route to rejoin them was to run through the formidable mountains.
‘We quickly adapted by hiring two local taxi drivers, loading our belongings, and staying in homestays,’ he recounts. Despite the difficulties, Jack believes the experience was immensely rewarding. ‘Due to the damaged roads, we were virtually alone in the Himalayas, traversing some of the most stunning valleys imaginable—a rare privilege during the typically busy months of August and September,’ he says. ‘Though challenging, we felt truly blessed to have that unparalleled Himalayan experience.’
Exceeding Expectations
Most mornings, Jack starts his run around 5 AM, pushing until midday to complete a marathon-distance of about 45 kilometers before lunch. After a brief rest, he resumes in the late afternoon or early evening, adding another 10 to 15 kilometers. ‘My daily baseline soon became 55-60 kilometers,’ Jack notes, explaining that he initially targeted 50 kilometers a day to cover the 4,000-kilometer distance in roughly 80 days. He’s now proudly ahead of schedule, even with frequent stops for curious locals eager for a selfie on the highway. ‘While there’s certainly been a lot of curiosity, the reception from the people of India has consistently been one of warmth and genuine interest. We haven’t encountered any negative experiences whatsoever,’ he beams.
He attributes much of his success to his dedicated team, including performance coach Jordan Fairclough, logistics head and close friend Fred Reid, and nutrition specialist Daniel Robinson. ‘Together, I believe we embody what modern masculinity should be,’ Jack says. ‘We can be silly and have fun, but in the next moment, we’re sharing tears and providing unwavering support for one another.’
Beyond his core team, Jack benefits from an incredible support system of his girlfriend and family, all of whom eagerly await his arrival in Kanyakumari in roughly ten days. ‘It feels like the culmination of a significant chapter, and I’m genuinely excited for whatever the next one brings,’ Jack shares with a smile. ‘I anticipate it will be just as challenging and beautiful.’