Want to run for Solent Mind next year? Register your interest for Great South Run 2025 or the 2025 Southampton Marathon here...
Mike took on last year's Southampton Marathon to challenge himself, raise money for Solent Mind and help to raise mental health awareness. He shares his journey, the impact of running on his wellbeing, and his top tips for marathon success.
For Mike Blundell, the 2024 ABP Southampton Marathon was more than just a race—it was a personal challenge and a chance to support mental health services in Hampshire. Taking on his first-ever marathon, he faced the course with determination, using running as a way to highlight the importance of mental health and hopefully inspiring others to sign up for this year’s race.
For Mike, signing up for the marathon was a personal challenge to prove that the sky is the limit if you can meet challenges with dedication and positivity.
“Doing a marathon is hard in itself,” Mike explained. “But the uniqueness of the Southampton Marathon is that it’s two laps. I’d never done a marathon before, so the idea of running the distance once, but the circuit twice, seemed like a huge challenge—one I initially thought I couldn’t do.”
Rather than let self-doubt win, Mike rose to the challenge. “That’s why I signed up—to prove to myself that anything is possible with some dedicated training and a positive mental attitude.”
Sign up to run the marathonChoosing to support Solent Mind was an easy decision for Mike because of his own experiences with mental health:
“It’s charities like Solent Mind that are often overlooked, but they provide some of the best support at people’s absolute time of need,”
Mike’s journey with running is deeply tied to his own mental health: “Having had my own challenges, it’s not an understatement to say that running probably saved my life. It gave me time to reflect and come to terms with my own struggles.”
He is particularly passionate about breaking the stigma around men’s mental health: “Unfortunately, there’s still a massive stigma—especially with men—that they need to bottle up their problems. It’s all too easy to get overwhelmed by life, but running made me realise it’s completely acceptable to make time for yourself and focus on what really matters.”
By taking on this marathon, Mike hoped to raise awareness for this important cause: “If I can help raise awareness and some money to support charities like Solent Mind along the way… then it’s a no-brainer.”
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Completing last year's Marathon was a tough but rewarding experience for Mike. While the course was as challenging as he expected, the sense of achievement after crossing the finish line made every step worthwhile:
“It’s a tough challenge but incredibly rewarding, you don’t have to set an amazing personal best time—just completing the course at your own pace is an incredible achievement in itself, and the feeling after can’t be beaten.”
For anyone considering taking on a marathon, Mike has some key advice:
We're honoured that Mike chose to raise money for Solent Mind and we're so pleased that he was able to cross the finish line with a smile on his face.
Has Mike inspired you to take on a challenge for Solent Mind? Sign up to the marathon now and choose your distance from 5K, 10K, a half marathon or a full marathon.
Want to run for Solent Mind next year? Register your interest for Great South Run 2025 or the 2025 Southampton Marathon here...