Imogen Sharp, 25, will embark on the challenging 60km run on November 23 as part of Movember in memory of her father who was from Paisley.
Ms Sharp said: “When I was nine years old I lost my dad to suicide. Something I now realise is so preventable. He was only 48.
“Throughout my childhood he was a very happy, loving and generous man.
“Beneath that exterior was a storm he never shared.
“Like many men, he carried the weight of the world alone, believing that vulnerability wasn’t an option.”
Her father’s death has driven her to raise awareness about men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
She explained her reason for choosing the distance, saying: “I chose 60k to represent the 60 men who lose their life to suicide every 60 seconds globally and I am going to attempt it all in one go, to really push myself.”
Her goal is to break the stigma around men’s mental health and encourage more conversations.
Ms Sharp features in a short film, ‘Call from a Stranger’, where she meets fellow runner Katy Martins, who also lost her father to suicide.
The film emphasises the importance of exercise and openness in mental health.
This year marks 21 years of Movember, raising awareness and funds for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancers.
