Runner’s Marathon Effort: ‘Me running is saving someone’s life’

On New Year’s Day 2024, precisely at midnight, Andy Hobson commenced a marathon in Bradford, having put on his running shoes. Following difficulties with his mental well-being, Andy had paused his work in the emergency services and adopted physical activity to recover from what he termed his “low point”. The 33-year-old from Leeds initiated his “12 in 12 marathon challenge,” intending to complete a marathon every month throughout the year. The BBC interviewed him prior to his last run. “It was probably a daft idea in hindsight,” Andy confessed, speaking from Roundhay Park. This 700-acre parkland located in north Leeds served as a consistent training location for his marathons each month. Reflecting on the initial marathon of his endeavor, he stated: “There were little elements within the run which were wholesome and nice.” He added that “People enjoying the night-time economy would shout ‘Happy New Year’ – it got me through the difficult parts.” Andy finished his first marathon of the year in 4 hours and 25 minutes, though he expressed no concern for achieving record times. He communicated to his online supporters: “My times will be SLOW, but a 5/6 hour marathon is still the same distance as a 3 hour marathon.” Andy is collecting donations for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), an organization dedicated to suicide prevention. According to the charity, 18 individuals die by suicide daily in the UK. Driven by a desire to contribute, Andy established a fundraising goal of £12,012, a sum he characterized as “absolutely ridiculous”. He noted, “My negative mindset would like to tell me it is impossible,” but he chose to aim for a substantial target because “life is simply too short.” Andy stated that the collected funds would enable CALM to respond to “life-saving” crisis calls or chats through its support services. “I understand now the importance of having that conversation – a problem shared is a problem halved in my view,” he remarked. Andy attributes his personal battles with mental health to both professional difficulties encountered after managing several “tough jobs” and “being heavily overweight.” He expressed, “It was almost that I did not love myself.” He continued, “When you are in that much of a dark place, you just see your own problems.” He added, “Everything is amplified to the point where you just think, what is the point?” Andy’s endeavor involves covering a total distance of 4,000km during 2024. His routes have, to date, spanned the north of England, with runs conducted in urban areas like Bradford, Blackpool, Liverpool, and Leeds. Additionally, some segments of his challenge have been undertaken in warmer locations such as Barcelona and Cabo Roig in Spain. He mentioned that the challenge has included “no medals or crowds,” and none of its stages were part of organized marathon events. He stated, “Just me taking to the roads, paths and streets where I found tranquillity and peace at a time my mind was chaotic.” Andy reported that he is concluding the year with a significantly improved mental state and has resumed his employment. This week, he was present at the Leeds Compassionate City Awards, where he was granted a “highly commended” recognition for his fundraising endeavors. He concluded by saying: “Every time I go out I like to think, in my head, that me running is saving someone’s life.”