The Long Run For Mental Health — 7 Marathons in 7 Days for Samaritans

This April, I’ll be running more than 200 miles in 7 days — six marathons from Lydney in Gloucestershire to Greenwich Park in London, and then the London Marathon on day seven.

Yes, that’s seven marathons in seven days — and no, I’m not a gifted runner! Far from it.

I’m doing this because running has taught me some of life’s most important lessons:

the power of commitment, the value of consistency, and how we are so often capable of achieving much more than we think.

When I ran the London Marathon in 2017, it was one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life. When I decided to take on this challenge for Samaritans I knew I couldn't just repeat something I'd done before...

At first, I thought about doing three marathons in three weeks. But that didn’t feel like enough. Then I thought about doing seven marathons in seven weekends — until I realised my job probably wouldn’t allow me seven weekends off!

So, in a moment of madness, I thought:

“Why not just use a week’s leave… and get them all done in one go?”

And here we are..

What have I done?!

💚 Why I’m Running

Earlier this year, I lost a friend to suicide.

Every mile of The Long Run For Mental Health is for those who are fighting quiet battles, for those who are seeking help, and for those who didn’t feel they could.

I’m raising funds for Samaritans, who are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to listen to anyone who’s struggling to cope. Their volunteers answer a call for help every 10 seconds — often from men who feel they have no one else to turn to.

📊 Why It Matters

Around 5,000 people die by suicide every year in the UK.

Three-quarters of them are men.

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK.

Behind every one of those statistics is someone’s son, brother, father, partner, or friend. Someone who mattered.

This challenge is about opening up conversations, breaking the stigma, and reminding men everywhere that it’s okay to talk, it’s okay to struggle, and there’s always someone who will listen.

Please consider donating, sharing, or simply following the journey as I attempt to run seven marathons in seven days.

Every 10 seconds, Samaritans respond to a call for help.

£5 could help answer a call for help.

£20 could help train a Samaritans volunteer.

£100 could help fund community outreach encouraging men to talk before crisis point.

❤️ Thank you.