Dean Jackson, a Trading Director with UM Group, says a Japanese endurance challenge he undertook for charity is something that will “live with me forever”.

Dean was part of a three-man team that took part in The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) Adventure Race Japan, an event that is held every two years.

Dean was joined by Singapore-based Chin Wen Liew, from shipping services provider Clarksons, and Japan-based Takefumi Yano, from shipping specialist Dorval, in forming one of 100 three-man teams competing in the gruelling challenge, which took place on May 16 and 17.

The setting for the event was the stunning Izu Peninsula, through the UNESCO Geopark area close to Tokyo and with Mount Fuji as the backdrop.

The first of two days saw Dean and his colleagues complete a demanding trail run, while on day 2 teams took part in Rogaining, an orienteering sport involving route planning and navigation between checkpoints.

The teams’ performance across the two days, together with their fundraising efforts, combined to determine the overall event winner.

Dean, whose team name was ‘Hot, Sweet and Sticky’, a nod to the molasses that UM trades and ships, said: “The whole challenge, from start to finish, was an amazing experience and something that will stay with me forever. It made all the training and preparation worth it.

“The event brought together a hugely diverse range of stakeholders from across the shipping industry, all united in doing our bit to raise as much money as possible towards the incredible work of The Mission to Seafarers charity.

“While our team’s efforts raised $8365 (£6200), the total amount generated by all the teams and the many generous corporate sponsors was an unbelievable $1.85 million.

“In the case of UM, I’d particularly like to pay tribute to our corporate sponsors - W&R Barnett, United Molasses, Clarksons PLC, Serromah Shipping, PT Garuda Mas Transindo and Integrated Service Point PVT – for their amazing support.”

Reflecting on the event itself, Dean said: “The two challenges were very different and extremely physically demanding.

“On the first day, we chose the harder of two trail runs, a heavily undulating route and with a lot of inclines. We were lucky with the conditions which were mainly dry and not too hot which enabled us to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Due to its protected status, the trail is only ever open to a small number of people and incredibly rare for an event of this nature to be given permission.

“By the end of the run, my legs were burning and we’d covered around 21km. We’d worked well as a team because the three of us were of a similar standard and kept each other going through some of the difficult sections.

“The second day was totally different both in terms of the challenge, rogaining, and the weather which was appalling with a mix of heavy rain and high winds. It was so bad that some of the checkpoints were just too precarious to get to.

“We still managed to cover over 19km through some beautiful countryside and wooded areas, while it also gave us the chance to see a lot of the town of Izu Shuzenji, one of the oldest and most famous hot spring towns on the peninsula and a complete contrast with Tokyo.

“I had a fantastic time, both in terms of the event itself and the hospitality that surrounded it and have already put the date in my diary for two years’ time when it will be held in another part of Japan.”