Three Signallers, One Hundred Kilometres: Rhino Troop Take on the Maverick Jurassic Coast X-Trail

On 17th October 2026, three Royal Signals soldiers will line up at the start of the Maverick Jurassic Coast X-Trail 100km. Their goal is to run the full distance along one of the most beautiful, and punishing, stretches of coastline in England, and to raise money for the Royal Signals Charity while they do it.

Sig Jacob Skedgell, Sig James Pickering and Sig Jonathan Jakaj, all of Rhino Troop, have each set up their own fundraising page and are taking on the challenge in support of the Royal Signals family.

For Jacob, the draw of the ultra is simple. "I've always loved running," he says. It has never really been about the distance. It is about testing himself, finding where he thinks his limit is, and seeing whether he can push past it. "There's something pretty rewarding about getting to that point where your body is telling you to stop, but you manage to convince yourself to keep going."

So, naturally, he thought: why not run 100K?

Jacob has only been part of the Royal Signals family for a short time, but he says he has already seen how strong that sense of community is. When he looked into the work of the Royal Signals Charity and the support it provides to serving soldiers, veterans and their families, he knew it was the charity he wanted to raise money for.

"The people who serve in the Royal Signals become part of something much bigger than themselves," Jacob explains. He is proud to be starting his own journey within that family, and to be supporting the men and women he now serves alongside, as well as those who have already walked the road he is only just beginning.

Families matter to him too. They play a huge part in military life, and Jacob feels it is easy to forget just how much they give. "Taking on 100K is going to be a huge challenge, both physically and mentally. But knowing that every mile is helping raise money for a community that I'm now proud to be part of gives the whole challenge a bit more meaning."

His message is typically honest: here's to the inevitable pain, and to eventually crossing that finish line knowing he has pushed himself further than he thought he could.

James and Jonathan share that determination. They chose an ultra marathon for the Royal Signals Charity because they believe in pushing themselves to the limit and running further than they ever have before.

For them, an ultramarathon is about resilience, determination and teamwork: carrying on when it seems impossible and the odds are stacked against you. They will go the whole 100km because they believe in the Royal Signals Charity and its ideals.

How you can help

Every pound raised supports serving soldiers, veterans and their families. If you can, please back Jacob, James and Jonathan with a donation. No amount is too small, and every contribution will help them through the long hours on the trail.

• Jacob: https://www.justgiving.com/page/royalsignalscharity-ultra100k

• James: https://www.justgiving.com/page/100-km-for-the-signals

• Jonathan: https://www.justgiving.com/page/miles-for-signals

You don't need to run 100km to make a difference. Every challenge is individual. For one person it might be a first 5k, for another a half marathon, a long walk, a cycle or a personal best. What matters is choosing something that stretches you, setting your own target and seeing it through, with the Royal Signals Charity as your reason to keep going.

The Royal Signals Charity is grateful to everyone who dedicates their time to supporting us, whatever the challenge and whatever the distance.

Good luck to Jacob, James and Jonathan on 17th October. We'll be cheering you on every step of the way.