24/04/2026
Running two marathons a day for twelve consecutive days is not something most people would describe as a hobby. But Keith Bulge is not most people.
Keith got in touch recently — and his message was unlike any other I've received. He opened with a stark fact: su***de is the leading cause of death in men under 50, and men are three times more likely than women to die by su***de. He was writing to tell me he was doing something about it.
The charity he's running for, James' Place, has treated 245 suicidal men since HRH The Prince of Wales opened its London base just one year ago. Operating from Bunhill Row near Old Street, London, it offers free, life-saving treatment — typically six to eight face-to-face sessions with a trained therapist in a safe, non-clinical environment. No waiting lists. No cost. Just help, when it's needed most.
Since announcing his challenge, Keith has had many messages from people who have lost loved ones to su***de. "It has been both shocking and motivating," he told me. Knowing he runs long distances for pleasure, he felt he needed to attempt something genuinely extreme to inspire people to support him.
That something is 1,000km in 12 days — roughly two marathons every day.
A quiet lane in Surrey.
I joined Keith for the first 25km of his journey, weaving through the streets and along the canals of London. I'd braced myself for a breathless, laser-focused athlete, earphones in, head down. Instead, I found myself in easy conversation with a relaxed, and kindly man. We talked nutrition (beer plays its part), rest, mental resilience — and how he'd ended up on this particular route.
"I needed something testing but safe," he said. "An internet search led me to wheremywheelsgo.uk and I was sold. The Thames to the Tyne had a nice ring to it — so here I am."
He is somewhere out on the road right now, covering around 50 miles a day through East Anglia, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and up to the Northeast. He sets off each morning between 7 and 8am, and finishes — still smiling, apparently — around 7 to 8pm.
If you live anywhere along his route, Keith would love to hear from you. Can you run a few miles alongside him? Drop off food or drinks? Offer a bed for the night — particularly in the Norwich or Middlesbrough areas? Any offers of support can be sent to [email protected].
And if you can't be there in person, the most meaningful thing you can do is donate. Every pound goes directly to James' Place and the men it helps back from the edge.
👉 Keith Burge is fundraising for James' Place Charity — www.justgiving.com/page/keith-burge-1000k-challenge
A live tracker will show you exactly where Keith is at any given moment. Go find him. Cheer him on. Better yet, help keep him going. Thames to Tyne / 23 Apr – 4 May | Track-Trail-Live
If you or someone you know is having a difficult time, free support is available
