12 Nov 2024
Three years after losing his dad after a short battle with depression, a St Albans runner is aiming to complete a gruelling seven marathons in seven days in support of Mind, a mental health charity.
Tom Toyer, 29, a quantity surveyor for a local construction company, is marking the anniversary by embarking on the challenge, which will take him across Herts and Beds over this Christmas period.
Former Roundwood Park School pupil Tom, a member of St Albans Striders and Athletics Club, was in the middle of running 12 half marathons in 12 days in 2021 when he received the news that his father had passed away.
“It was the hardest physical challenge I had undertaken, but the toughest part was continuing after day five, December 18. It was on that day that my father passed away after a short battle with depression. That was single-handedly the hardest experience of my life, but I knew I had to finish the challenge to honour him.
“Since then, I have completed several runs in his honour one of which was a 100-mile race that I ran on the first Father’s Day after my dad’s passing, which I managed to finish in 17:50:54!”
Tom, who is St Albans born and bred, only started running during the first lockdown, but completed his first marathon in 2021.
“I’ve since completed around 10 in total, but I’ve never raced one. I do this distance primarily to enjoy being out running for an extended time! I did a half marathon in memory of a friend I lost in 2020 to depression and from there running became my life!”
His current training routine includes running around 50 miles per week, with around two strength sessions. “At this stage, my primary aim is to avoid injury and not get ill – there’s a lot of running and practicing on tired legs involved.
“The biggest challenge for me will be breaking the mental barrier that comes with getting up to run 26.2 miles every day for a week. As much as running is my life, a rest day is my favourite thing! But I believe that getting up to run this challenge is nothing compared to the battles some people are facing, and it’s a privilege to be in a position where I can raise awareness for something I’m so passionate about by doing what I love the most.
“I’ve struggled with my own mental health on and off for years and this type of event has become my own therapy!”
Tom is supporting mental health charity Mind, but although his JustGiving page currently places him in the top 10 per cent of all fundraisers, he also wants to highlight its work: “Mind is a lifeline for anyone facing mental health struggles, offering essential support and guidance when it’s needed the most.
“I initially set out to raise £1,000 but after smashing that target in the first week I have increased this goal to £5,000. But I don’t want it to feel like I’m constantly asking for donations, while it’s motivating to see my JustGiving page gaining traction, my aim is to inspire those around me to talk about their feelings or motivate people to go for a run when they wouldn’t have considered it before!
“I am most looking forward to my run on Saturday December 21, I’m going to attempt to run a marathon on the running track – it’s going to be a really fun day and only possible due to the St Albans Striders community!’
“Together, we can shine a light on mental health, break the stigma, and honour those we’ve lost.”
You can support Tom’s efforts at https://tinyurl.com/seveninseven
