Running To Stand Still

Have bike, will triathlon. Pic: Movember

ick Burton started running during lockdown, and he hasn’t really stopped since.

And that’s because he’s a man on a mission.

Actually, scratch that – in September, Mick has set himself 32 missions, taking on a half-Ironman challenge every day for 32 days, one in each of Ireland’s 32 counties.

The before picture…

The mad fecker.

All in the name of Movember madness, Mick will actually be raising money for three charities – The Irish Cancer Society, Jigsaw and Movember itself. All three, he points out, do invaluable work, and the hope is to fundraise €32,000.

Something you can help achieve by donating right here.

Mick is open about his own struggles with mental health, and how a 10-year spell of heavy drinking and substance abuse left him suicidal. Lockdown proved to be the turning point, as with literally nowhere to go when it came to indulging in old bad habits, Mick started running. And running. And running.

That’s when a series of 5k challenges led to triathlons and beyond, making Mick not only fit and healthy but much happier too. Which naturally had positive effects on his mental health.

“So many men still think that they have to go through these struggles alone,” says Mick, “and I hope that speaking about my story can influence even one man to talk to someone about how they are feeling.

“My message to all men is to speak to someone – not mater what the situation is, good or bad, speak!“

You can follow Mick on his journey around Ireland on Instagram here, and go throw a few pennies into the hat here.