Toby will join the 5K run next Tuesday 6th May, as part of his Big Ballsy Challenge – a campaign to run 500km across the UK to raise vital funds and spark life-saving conversations around testicular cancer, the most common cancer in young men.
The challenge, announced earlier this year by The Robin Cancer Trust, will see Toby tackle some of the UK’s most gruelling endurance events. Toby has recently completed the Brighton and London Marathons, and has a 100km ultramarathon and a full-length run of Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England lined up for later in the year. Toby’s mission? To get the nation #TalkingBollocks, breaking taboos, and saving lives.
Well Run Brum is a movement which brings all abilities together to get men’s mental wellness on track through social running in Birmingham. These free-to-access fortnightly 5K runs provide social support for men at a conversational pace.
Each run begins with a guest speaker, providing inspiration and motivation before setting off around the city. Toby will be the 30th guest speaker the Well Run Brum team has had to date.
For Toby, this challenge is deeply personal, as in 2011, he lost his older brother, Robin, to testicular cancer at just 24 years old. In the wake of that unimaginable loss, Toby and his family founded The Robin Cancer Trust to fight for early detection, better awareness and open conversations.
Toby Freeman, Founder and CEO of The Robin Cancer Trust, said: “Running in a giant ballbag might seem ridiculous, but if it gets people talking, laughing, and most importantly, learning how to save their own life – it’s worth every mile. One conversation can save a life. That’s what this is all about.”
Despite being 96% curable when caught early, too many young men still don’t know the signs - or worse, feel too embarrassed to check. Toby wants to change that - one mile (and one giant costume) at a time.
The Big Ballsy Challenge aims to raise £240,000, equating to just £100 for every man diagnosed in the UK each year ( 2400 cases each year). The money raised will power The Robin Cancer Trust to continue its life-saving work in schools, universities, workplaces, and communities nationwide.
Richard Loftus, Founder of Well Run Brum, said: "Well Run Brum encourages open and honest conversation and that's something which Toby and his balls inspire. It takes huge strength to start a conversation about what’s on your mind or what you're struggling with. Just like running, taking that first step can be hard. But it gets easier. I'm delighted that Well Run Brum can play a 5K part in The Big Ballsy Challenge."
Want to join the run? Run #30 will start at 6:45pm on Tuesday 6th May, meeting inside TILT Birmingham, located in the City Arcade.
To support The Robin Cancer Trust or get involved in the Big Ballsy Challenge, visit: www.therobincancertrust.org/bigballsychallenge