It was always dad and my dream to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon together
Katy Martins and dozens of other runners took part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, running for Movember - Katy and some of her fellow Mo Sisters were running in memory of the men they had sadly lost to suicide.
We caught up with Katy to shares with us her experience and why she ran.
I absolutely loved running the London landmarks half marathon for Movember. The team are so incredibly supportive from the moment of sign up, to crossing the finish line. It was a team like no other. As well as this, the course is truly breathtaking. As a Londoner, I’ve never been able to view the city in this way before. The roar of the city and the crowds, made the atmosphere electric!
" It was truly inspiring to be part of it. Everyone around you has a reason to run; whether it be for a cause they are passionate about, for a lost loved one or for themselves. "
I took part because I used to run with my dad. I lost him to suicide in 2008 when I was 12 years old and ever since, I’ve used running as a coping mechanism - both to deal with my grief and to feel close to him.
Before dad got sick, he was the life and soul of the party. He was always the first one on the dance floor and the last one to leave.
I remember being told when I was 10 that my dad ‘wasn’t very well’. Although he had a successful career as a chartered surveyor, he gradually found less and less enjoyment in his work and eventually fell into a deep depression.
Losing my dad inspired me to study psychology when I graduated from school. I wanted to understand what it was dad was going through and to try and help others who are suffering.
The suicide rate in men in the UK is alarmingly high – three out of four suicides are men, and it remains the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 44.
That’s why I signed up for the London Landmarks Half Marathon. It’s such an important cause to run for the men in our lives and to make sure we’re amplifying the voices of men who often go unheard.
Movember is tackling the crisis by investing in men’s mental health projects and developing digital tools such as Movember Conversations that give guidance on how to support a man in your life.
Georgie Padley and Shanice Farrell who I ran with, both lost their dads to suicide. It was helpful to meet other women who had experienced the same loss as I have. When I was younger, I didn’t know anyone who had lost someone to suicide, and it can be a really lonely place – so it was a comfort to run alongside them. There’s a sense of them knowing what you’ve gone through – like an energy between us, and an understanding of one another that’s quite special.
It was always dad and my dream to run the London Marathon together – so in 2022, I ran both the London Landmarks Half Marathon and the London Marathon for dad - and for me.
About the race
This ain’t your average race. In fact, it’s the only half-marathon to go through central London and the City of Westminster.
Explore the capital’s heritage, marvel at the cultural landmarks, and discover its many hidden secrets. The race begins by The Strand, then takes you past insta-worthy views of London’s iconic landmarks. Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column, the Gherkin, the Shard, the Tower of London and the London Eye – you’ll see them all before finishing up near Downing Street.
Then you’ll collect your unique London Landmarks medal to commemorate your achievements.
On top of the amazing race day experience with thousands of people cheering you on, you’ll receive the iconic Movember running top, and celebrate at the epic Movember post race party with food, drinks and masseurs to ease your aching muscles that have been powering you around London. There’s even a Movember cheer station to roar you over the finish line. If that’s not enough, you also have training support, a team run in March in Hyde Park, and a dedicated Movember contact to guide you through the journey.
What are you waiting for, sign up now for an unforgettable experience.