Man completes 52 marathons following a mental health crisis

A university graduate who battled mental health issues during his studies has returned to his former campus to complete his 47th marathon of a personal 52-marathon challenge this year. Tommy Greenhouse, 22, shared that the endeavor, alongside fundraising for 52 different charities, has given him a renewed sense of purpose and allowed him to witness his own progress.

Greenhouse, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2021 after a suicide attempt. On Saturday, he ran 55 laps around the Glenside Campus at the University of the West of England in Bristol, supporting Oxfam Asia with this particular event.

His marathon journey mostly takes place in England, with occasional international stops, including Dubai and Istanbul. Greenhouse hopes that by sharing his story, he can offer encouragement to others facing mental health struggles.

His goal involves completing a marathon in each of England's 48 counties, with four additional races in Cardiff, Istanbul, Dubai, and at Egypt's Pyramids of Giza. After taking six weeks off to recover from an injury, he had to finish four marathons in just nine days, a challenge that highlighted his mental resilience and determination to overcome depression.

"Even though Im now physically running marathons, four years ago I felt like I was running a mental marathon every day," Greenhouse said. "Many of these races feel easier than the anxiety I faced entering university, dealing with social interactions, and even getting out of bed."

Greenhouse also dedicated his marathons to the memory of his late aunt Ruth, who passed away unexpectedly from encephalitis in July 2023. "She motivated me to continue my sports rehabilitation degree and played a pivotal role in my life and my familys lives, inspiring me to take on this challenge," he stated.

Among the 52 charities he supports are Encephalitis International, the British Heart Foundation due to his familys heart health history, and Meningitis UK, as he had previously contracted the illness. His final marathon is scheduled in Gloucestershire on 27 December to benefit the mental health charity Mind.

Author: Sophia Brooks