Coronavirus: Former Wales captain Ryan Jones completes NHS charity garden marathon
- Published
Ryan Jones finishes the Newport marathon in 2018
Grand Slam-winning former Wales rugby captain Ryan Jones has completed a marathon in his Swansea garden.
Jones is supporting a campaign to raise extra resources for the Swansea Bay University LHB charitable fund during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 39-year-old is currently the Welsh Rugby Union's performance director.
Ex-Ospreys forward Jones has already substantially surpassed the £500 target on his Just Giving page, external and has currently raised more than £5,000.
Jones had estimated the run would require around 700 lengths of his garden and he completed his challenge in just under four hours and 44 minutes.
Explaining the reason behind the run, Jones said: "Like many I am confined to my home and as this situation plays out before me, I am just amazed at the strength of the human spirit and the generosity of so many.
"Those giving of their time not because it's a job but because they care, those putting the risk to their own health to one side because they care.
"You truly are an inspiration and I just wanted to try and support you."
Ryan Jones celebrates his third Grand Slam success with Wales in 2012
Jones won 75 Wales caps, winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2005 and then again as captain in 2008 and 2012.
He held the record for the highest number of games as Wales skipper - 33 - until that was surpassed by Sam Warburton in 2015.
Jones made three appearances for the British and Irish Lions on their 2005 tour of New Zealand. He was also a late call-up for the Lions 2009 trip to South Africa, but arrived injured and did not play.
His playing career ended in 2014 on medical advice because of recurring shoulder injuries and in 2016 he was appointed the WRU's head of rugby participation. He took up his current role in 2019.
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