There were emotional celebrations on Plymouth Hoe when Paul Maxwell crossed the finish line of his 50th half marathon in a year. More than a hundred runners joined him for the final run of the challenge, which the former Plymouth Argyle player and physiotherapist set himself when he turned 50 years old in July 2023. His hope was to improve his mental health and raise money for Livewell Southwest and Devon Mind.
Runners from the group Operation Enrichment joined Paul for the final half marathon
Paul said: “I’ve been down the path of struggling myself. Eight years ago, was probably when I was right at the rock bottom. I put myself in a place I wouldn’t ever want to go again. I came out of that by studying neuroscience and working on coping mechanisms. But a year ago, I wasn’t in a good place again and wanted to change my lifestyle. The 50 half marathon challenge felt like something different and I also thought it might help other people.
“I wasn’t a runner. I was a sprinter as a football player, so that first run on my own along the Camel Trail to Padstow was tough. I wasn’t great emotionally at that time after going through a break-up and a few other things. I broke down during the last three miles, but I got through it and that was the start of this new journey.”
From then on, people from all over Devon and Cornwall have joined Paul on the Sunday morning and Friday night runs.
Tony Stimson did the second half marathon and completed more than 40 runs with Paul.
He said: “It doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, what your background is, we have all got challenges. What Paul has created is a really safe space for people to share those things. As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. It has certainly helped me.”
Kris Foster started on half marathon number four.
He said: “It’s been a long road, but it’s grown and grown and Paul’s made it into something really special. There were times in the early days when I thought we would be lucky to see 20 but then we got to 30 and then to 40. It’s amazing that we’ve now completed the final one.”
Roisin Stark completed 43 of the 50 half marathons.
She said: “This has helped me dramatically. On the first run around Burrator, my life wasn’t where I wanted it to be at that time. I wasn’t in a good place, and I just thought put one foot in front of the other. Then I started to put one foot in front of the other in work and at home and have since got a promotion and friendships have really blossomed on the running trails.”
Paul has raised more than £11000 to improve facilities for patients and staff at Livewell Southwest and Devon Mind.
Staff from Livewell took part in run number 39 around Burrator on Dartmoor.
Half marathon 39
Paul with Chief Operating Officer Ian Lightley
Livewell Southwest’s Chief Operating Officer Ian Lightley said: “In spite of the wind and rain, I really enjoyed it. It was great to talk to everyone along the way. They all had a personal story to tell about how mental health has affected their lives in some way.
“Paul’s achievement to run a half marathon every week for a year is amazing. He has also shown how important it is for all of us to talk about our mental health. He has done an incredible job raising awareness.”
At the end of the final run, fighting back tears, Paul told his supporters: “I have taken a piece of all of you into me and it’s made me the person I am now, so thank you.”
Paul with his supporters at the finish line
Paul is continuing the running groups. “We are using the title ‘change the tape’, trying to change the thought process of your mind. Step into the unknown. Keep challenging yourself everyday and genuinely be kind and be a good person.”
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can get support from the Plymouth NHS Talking Therapies team. You can self-refer here.
If you feel you need urgent support with your mental health or that of a loved one or a friend, you can call the crisis line on NHS 111 (select the mental health option). More info here.
