Publish date: 14 January 2026
This July, while most are enjoying the peak of summer, BTH Senior Plaster Technician, Jon Villaggio will be trading the familiar corridors of the hospital for the gruelling mountain paths of the Lake District.
The Lakeland 100 is far from a standard marathon. The course packs in approximately 6,300 metres (over 20,000 feet) of ascent, forcing runners to traverse fells, valleys and steep mountain passes in one continuous stage.
The technical difficulty of the race is notorious: there are no signposts to follow. Competitors must navigate the unmarked route using only a map, compass, and GPS, mostly sticking to bridleways and high-altitude footpaths with almost no tarmac in sight. With a strict 40-hour time limit and unpredictable Cumbrian weather, the dropout rate typically hovers between 40% and 50% each year.
For Jon, the physical demand is only half the story. Having had a cardiac pacemaker fitted at the age of 17, Jon underwent a battery replacement operation as recently as March 2025. While Jon remains modest about his medical history, it’s a reminder of the resilience that underpins his approach to both life and running. Having previously completed the Lakeland 50 in 2021, he started looking for his next big challenge and the Lakeland 100 was the obvious step up.
Jon is undertaking this monumental feat to raise vital funds and awareness for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund
Jon said “This challenge is about testing my own limits, as I prepare to ramp up my training over the coming months. But more importantly, it’s about raising vital funds and awareness for Blue Skies.”
As the July start date approaches, the local community and his hospital colleagues will be rooting for him as he prepares to face the fells.
Jon is grateful for the two local businesses sponsoring his fundraising event. The photo shows Jon alongside his sponsors, on the left David Gallagher from Appletree Finance, Poulton and Robbie from Verve Sport, Bispham, on the right.
