08/10/2026
š Toms Running journey so far ā«ļø
I started running for a few reasons. I wanted to improve my mental health, I wanted to look better, and I wanted to build a level of fitness that Iād never really had before. At the time, I couldnāt even run 1 kilometre. I hadnāt grown up running and I had no idea where it would take me.
I started running on a treadmill in my garage so that people wouldnāt see me running . I eventually built up the courage and went for a run outside by myself , towards the end of 2024. My first big achievement came when I was 15 and ran my first ever half marathon. Just two months later, I ran another on Christmas Eve 2024. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to make it a tradition, running another Christmas Eve half marathon in 2025. Iām hoping to keep that going this year too.
Since then, everything has changed. Iāve gone from struggling to run 1K to running 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and eventually a marathon. This year alone, Iāve already completed 20 half marathons, and at 17 Iāve managed to run a 1:27 half marathon. Sometimes I look back and think āhow have I actually made it this farā .
In May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, I ran 25K up Roseberry Topping. That run meant a lot to me because mental health is the reason I started running in the first place. Running gave me something to focus on, something to work towards and, most importantly, an outlet when I wasnāt feeling my best.
At the start of 2026, I set myself three goals: run the Great North Run, run a marathon and run 1,000K throughout the year. At the time, they all seemed like massive challenges, but Iāve now completed all three. I also ran my first marathon at just 16, finishing in 3:43 , in the same week I ran another two half marathons before running my marathon . I remember thinking when I was little , a marathon is such a crazy achievement. But not for one second did I think Iād ever run one and especially at 16.
The Great North Run was especially important because I ran it in memory of my nana and grandad. I raised over Ā£1,500 for Alzheimerās Society through the challenge and completed the Great North Run last month. Knowing I was running for something so personal made every kilometre feel even more meaningful. This was the proudest day of my life š
Iāve also tried to use running to help other causes. In July, I ran 66 miles throughout the month and raised over Ā£200 for Cancer Research UK. Running has become about more than just getting faster or running further. Itās given me a way to help other people and raise awareness for things that matter.
My journey also led to me starting SHYFT with my two cousins, Charlie and Boden. SHYFT is a mental-health community built around giving people a space to talk, breathe and reset. Weāve all faced our own problems in the past and know what itās like to struggle, so we wanted to create something where people donāt feel like they have to deal with everything on their own. For me, it all links back to why I started running. I know what itās like to struggle with your mental health, and if our community can help even one person feel less alone, then itās worth it.
Looking back at everything Iāve achieved, itās honestly hard to believe. I went from not being able to run 1K to completing 20 half marathons in a year, running a marathon at 16, completing the Great North Run, reaching 1,000K in a year and running 25K up Roseberry Topping for mental health awareness. Iām currently about to tick off my 1200th km of the year .
Iāve raised over Ā£1,500 for Alzheimerās Society in memory of my nana and grandad, over Ā£200 for Cancer Research UK, and helped build something with Charlie and Boden that I hope can make a difference to other people.
If thereās one thing Iād tell anyone from my experience, itās that you donāt have to achieve everything at once. Itās literally just one step in front of the other.
Try to make yourself 1% better every day. You might not notice the difference straight away, but eventually youāll look back and realise how far youāve come.
Something might seem completely out of reach right now, but if you want it badly enough and youāre willing to keep working for it, you can get there.
Iām also willing to help anyone who wants to start running or just exercising in general .
You can do it ā¤ļø
