What is the Challenge?
To run 192 miles as part of a team on the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William and back in 24 hours.
Why?
To raise awareness of the mental health challenges which we are all likely to face at some point in our lives either personally or with those around us. As ultra runners, we are used to dealing with problems on our own. But we know that having support around us is key in those tough times, and there’s never any shame in asking for help.
We hope that this event will encourage people to be open and honest about how they feel and that we’ll all create a safe environment day to day, for others to share their challenges and experiences.
Please help us raise awareness - it’s ok, not to be ok.
The gun show!
Who is Graham Connolly?
Team Pyllon runner. G12, Kintyre Way, Dirty 30 fastest guy on the day. (Quiet day!)
Why this challenge?
Running and mental health. Two topics that are inextricably linked. There was a period of Graham's life when the former was solely dependant upon the later. Running was the last fingernail he had to hold on to the precipice of a very deep and dark hole. It sounds like a bold statement but he makes it with confidence because a situation arose that resulted in him not being able to indulge in his daily dose of therapy. It didn’t work out so well for him and he ended up down that very dark hole. It wasn’t nice for him or those closest to him. Probably more so for his loved ones.
However, he was lucky and very quickly found himself in front of some people whose job it was to get him to talk while they listened. Just like the good people at SAMH.
They may have saved his life, and with the nature of his breakdown, maybe that of someone else too.
Graham says, "Ultra running has without a shadow of a doubt been the most positive thing that’s ever happened to me. The nature of the sport and the people I’ve been so very lucky to be exposed to have changed my life. I’ve learned more about myself and life in the last 4 years than I did in the preceding 34. Because of ultra running and the giants I walk with daily I am a better husband, father and human.
Because of all of this Pyllon Endeavour has a very special meaning to me. Please support us in any way you can. Best of all would be if you could come and see us on the day. Ultra running is an amazing community and although this is a Team Pyllon Endeavour we want to share it with as many people as possible."
How to help Graham?
Get involved, by tracking us online, supporting us on the day, and / or by making a donation to SAMH. We’ve already reached our initial fund raising target, but we never expected so much support this early, so please help us reach over 200%!
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