Macclesfield mental health champion to trek 236 miles for suicide awareness
A Broken Cross man who only picked up running last year, is to go on a six-day long run for men's mental health.
Quad bike company owner James Barlow (40) will aim to break the Dragon's Back, a Welsh mountain-laden route from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle.
It spans 236.1 miles and will be an incredible feat for a man who only started running in May 2021.
"Simply put I'll be running a marathon and a half each day, up and down the Welsh Mountains," said James.
"If we talk like for like, I'll have taken on climbing Everest twice in one week.
"I'm raising awareness and money for Andys Man Club, a male focused suicide prevention charity.
"I started running in May 2021 doing '100 Miles in May' for Mind mental health charity.
"The first race I ever did was at the end of October 2021, which was the Manchester Marathon. I didn't even do a 5k or 10k first.
"In the last 18 months, I have raced four more marathons, a half marathon and two 50 mile ultra marathons.
"I had some mental health issues two years ago. I came back out of that, but at the end of last year I had a bit of a relapse. So I signed up for a couple more marathons.
"Running did save my life, I was in a very very dark place and saw no way out. I'm nothing special, I just found the fight within me and set myself a challenge and then another and another, you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.
"The Dragon's Back Race is my next goal as it is known as is the World's Toughest Mountain Race.
"Talking was key to my recovery, counselling, finding a hobby, a feel good factor. Some days the struggle is still there. But I've learned the tools to deal with adversity and my strength and knowledge gained over the last few years, allows me to work through the down days.
"I know #ITSOKAYTOTALK and I'm really happy, living life to the fullest and becoming the best version of me.
"I want to help break down the stigma of Mens Mental Health. I am doing this by raising money and awareness for my chosen charity ANDYSMANCLUB.
"They are working to end the stigma surrounding men's mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK ANDYSMANCLUB has over 100 free support groups nationwide. In these groups, men can open up about the storms affecting their lives in a safe, judgement-free and non-clinical environment. The clubs are designed to be free of pressure, there is no obligation for men to speak, they can simply listen if they wish.
"With publicity and working with the charity, I'm hoping to set up a club in Macclesfield. The nearest one is in Altrincham at the moment."
James has a £1000 fundraising target, for which he has raised £302 for thus far, but awareness matters more to the Broken Cross super-athlete.
He will take on his toughest running challenge yet in September.
The Macclesfield-born-and-bred runner will celebrate his 41st birthday just before he takes on the challenge, but that doesn't mean he won't be taking a day off from training!
"I have been in Wales twice a week training, taking the route that I am actually doing," he added.
"In the local area, I like going up The Cloud in Bosley, it is a bit more less busy than Macclesfield Forest.
"Running has helped my mental health massively, and it has brought me new friends as I have joined Congleton Harriers.
"If I'm being honest, I didn't realise how hard my next challenge was going to be. But luckily I have done two ultra marathons and feel I'm quite a natural runner.
"I was athletic at school and did do a manual labour job where I was walking a lot, but I think the secret to a lot of it is mindset. If you put your mind to something, and have a right good go, you can achieve. But you have got to dig deep to do it.
"I've taken stuff to the extreme, but it doesn't mean that you have to do what I do. If you are struggling, go for a run or a walk. Join a club. There's nothing better than being out in the open. "
James admitted that he never spoke to anybody when he was mentally struggling, so wants other to do so through his championing of good cause ANDYSMANCLUB.
ANDYSMANCLUB is a nationwide movement started as a free of charge social group, in memory of a man who didn't speak up about his struggles before it was too late.
In a statement, ANDYSMANCLUB added:
"On average one man every two hours takes his life in the UK, It's often said; a factor is that men don't talk. That's why ANDYSMANCLUB was born. Established in 2016, the aim of the club is to provide men with a safe space where they feel comfortable to talk and open up about their experiences in a room free of judgment. ANDYSMANCLUB are a men's suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.
"With over 1800 men using the sessions every week, and an army of 500 volunteers on board, the movement is continuing to grow week-by-week. ANDYSMANCLUB firmly believe in the power of talking and that #ITSOKAYTOTALK. Good luck James on his challenge."
Macclesfield: Anything you can donate to James would be welcome in raising money and awareness to help break down the stigma of Mens Mental Health. Simply head to his JustGiving page to donate.
You can also support his Marton motoring business here.
If venues in Macclesfield would like to host ANDYSMANCLUB in Macclesfield, please email [email protected].
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