Ultra athlete on overcoming addiction: 'Ramp up your passions, do something different'

British long-distance runner Jack Scott to attend Q&A session ahead of Manx Mountain Marathon

A record-breaking ultra long-distance runner will be taking part in a Q&A session tomorrow night (18 April) in support of Hospice Isle of Man and Motiv8 Addiction Services.

Jack Scott holds the record for the fastest time to complete the 268-mile Montane Spine Race, finishing in 72hrs 55mins 5secs and beating the previous course record set by Jasmin Paris (2019) by more than 10 hours.

He'll be visiting the Isle of Man this weekend to take part in the Manx Mountain Marathon (Saturday, 19 April) which sees participants race across a 50km route from Ramsey to Port Erin.

The race route passes over the Island's northern fells, including Snaefell.

Runners then undertake a trail section into St John's, where the Half Mountain Marathon entrants join in for the southern section.

First contested in 1970, this will be the 53rd edition of the event.

Before the race on Saturday, Jack will join elite Manx runners Nikki Arthur and Orrin Smith on Friday evening for an informal question and answer session at IQEQ on Victoria Road in Douglas between 6pm an 8pm.

In his early twenties Jack used running as a method of overcoming his gambling addiction, and the session promises to give audience members the chance to hear inspiring stories and ask their own questions.

'I thought I had to change to become a runner, but really I just had to hammer home the fundamentals I already had.' - Jack Scott