Leaving Loneliness in the Dust
Running to be happy - Robert’s road to recovery
May 07, 2025
Robert is raising money for CALM and Mind, two charities that helped loved ones and Robert with depression and loneliness. His struggles with mental health eventually led him to visit Beachy Head, the UK’s most renowned suicide location.
Robert started a journey that day rather than ending one - and it was all thanks to an encounter with an ultra-running stranger.
"I certainly don’t feel like a runner", Robert claims, "but if I can do something that inspires just one person like me, then it’s worth it". Robert wasn't 'sporty' in school, and like many, finds running a gruelling and unpleasant experience most of the time.
When people discover that I travelled to England’s most notorious suicide spot, they are shocked. I am seen as someone that is always smiling, someone that is full of energy and life, and someone that is fun to be around. The truth is, I mask. I think a lot of people do, and that upsets me; I want everyone else to be happy, and to not feel the things that I have felt and continue to feel.
If I can do something that inspires just one person like me, then it’s worth it.
An ultra-runner, a parkrun and Robert
Unsure how the conversation started, Robert found himself surprised and thankful for the unprompted generosity this stranger was showing him. Before long, she had convinced him to sign up for a local parkrun, adamant that getting active was the best thing Robert could do for himself. Without hesitation, she locked it in both their diaries with a promise to pick Robert up for his first parkrun that coming Saturday.
Reflecting on the experience Robert remembers starting strong, but as the novelty wore off, the pain crept in.
“We’d done a couple kilometres and I was about to give up, I was done running. At that moment my new friend turned around, clapped her hands and said ‘you’re doing great - keep it up!’”. “I can’t give up now,” Robert told himself. He pushed on, dug deep and crossed the finish line. Congratulating himself, Robert realised he had just finished his first 5km run in… ever!
The duo continued to run together and spur each other on. The mood boosting benefits of exercise and an escape from the loneliness Robert continues to struggle with were a potent mix. parkruns turned to 10 km’s and before he knew it, Robert got signed up for a half marathon - the Great North Run. Amidst training, the pair found also discovered GoodGym. Robert affirming the supportive nature of GoodGym "GoodGym has been so important to me, I’ve been very lonely at times and so GoodGym has really helped me. It gave me a sense of belonging."
GoodGym has really helped me. It gave me a sense of belonging.
Not all sunshine, rainbows and half marathons
Inspired by his success at the Great North Run, Robert was ready for something bigger - the Manchester Marathon. Bigger still, he wanted to do something to inspire others and maximise his fundraising potential for CALM and Mind. Given the popular motif of a bee for Manchester, “why not run as a Beekeeper,” he thought.
Preparation was well underway, training had begun and the costume was gaining traction at local events and parkruns. The Beekeeper had been born and he was ready to go for a Guinness World Record by running the Manchester Marathon in under 4 hours while dressed head to toe in Beekeeper clothing - protective boots included.
Robert sees running as a metaphor for life, "sometimes life is hard, but in life just as in races, we are all in it together and all heading to the same finish line. We should all be there for each other and support one another". He continues, describing the impact running has had for his own mental health, "running has been the best medicine… being able to switch off when I run has been life changing, life saving even, for me".
Roberts mental health had been improving, he found immense power in running. Not just to become a happier, healthier person - but to take on challenges above and beyond what he thought possible.
Running has been the best medicine… being able to switch off when I run has been life changing, life saving even, for me.
Despite this, Robert still struggles “at times, even getting out of bed is a small win. I overthink, I struggle with feelings of solitude, isolation and loneliness and have done for as long as I can remember,” The effects of this led Robert to take a break from training for the Manchester Marathon. The mounting pressure of a world record attempt at his first marathon, and a short time frame to train by anyone's standards meant he wouldn’t be able to push for the sub 4 hour time required for the record. Ultimately, Robert chose self-preservation over pushing for an unrealistic target.
It’s how you get back up that matters
The Manchester Marathon WR attempt was out of reach, but there was still good to be done with the momentum Robert, the Beekeeper, had created. He had been sharing his progress via social media and begun to get recognised at parkruns. His new target? The SuperHalfs. A collection of 6 half marathons across iconic European cities, bringing together tens of thousands of runners to each event. He reflects on his experience, despite missing out on the WR attempt "I feel incredibly lucky to be able to run. Some people may not be able to run because of mental health struggles, this happened to me after my last parkrun. I am running again now for all those people that can’t, whatever their reason."
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to run.
"Paradoxically, running can make me feel even more alone", Robert begins. Having completed numerous races, he recognised something was missing. "I saw couples crossing the finish line together holding hands. I saw ‘runner’s high’ group hugs, and friends from all over the world sharing a drink with their medals. I’ve never had anything like that! If you have a small group of friends that you can sign up to races with, you’re luckier than I think I’ll ever be; hang onto them!
Inspired by an interaction he witnessed at the airport in Lisbon, the first ‘SuperHalf’ that Robert has run, he noticed an easy comradery sparking between runners wearing their race medals. He wondered how he could replicate this easy route to conversation and friendship for solo runners, like him.
If you have a small group of friends that you can sign up to races with, you’re luckier than I think I’ll ever be; hang onto them!
Robert’s focus now is on completing the other 5 SuperHalfs, and a dream to create an online community to help fight isolation and loneliness for the many people who run alone at events across the world. Fond of the Beekeeper image he’s created, ‘The Hive’ may become a hotspot for those looking to connect, socialise and celebrate their running with others.