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Uni graduate completes 52 marathons for charity after mental health challenges
A graduate who battled serious mental health challenges during his studies has completed 52 marathons in a single year to raise funds for charity.
UWE Bristol graduate Tommy Greenhouse, who graduated in sports rehabilitation in summer 2025, took on the year-long endurance challenge to support 52 different causes, many focused on mental health.
The 22-year-old finished his final marathon of 2025 in his hometown of Cheltenham in December, running in aid of Mind, and described crossing the line as giving him a “sense of completion” he had never felt before.
During his time at university, Tommy experienced depression and anxiety and struggled to engage with lectures and student life.
UWE graduate Tommy Greenhouse completed 52 marathons in a single year to raise funds for charity
He said he did not make full use of the support available at the time but now strongly encourages others to seek help, praising his educators for offering care and resources.
One of the most symbolic moments of his challenge came during his 47th marathon, when he ran 55 laps of UWE’s Glenside campus, a place he associated with some of his lowest periods, calling it a “full circle” moment that helped him recognise how far he had come.
Among the 52 marathons were runs in every English county, as well as events in Cardiff, Istanbul, Dubai and near the Pyramids of Giza.
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Tommy said: “My educators were extremely helpful and caring, and offered me resources. I didn’t use them, which was from lack of hope and naivety. However, I couldn’t recommend them enough now.
“A lot of the charities I ran for were heavily mental health-focussed, and seeing what they can do for you from afar now, I couldn’t recommend it enough.”
Although the physical running was tough, Tommy said the travel, planning and constant focus were even more demanding.
After “the marathon of marathons”, Tommy raised £9,000 for charities.
Tommy raised £9,000 for charities after completing his “marathon of marathons”
Now travelling in South East Asia, he hopes his story encourages other students facing mental health difficulties to keep going, talk to others and seek support, saying improvement can come “even if it’s not right now”.
All photos: UWE Bristol
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