Flawed Hero Marathon
25th April 2027, Letchworth
OUR 2027 FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT…
For the last few years, our annual fundraising walk has brought people together to walk, talk, raise money and stand alongside us in support of men's mental health.
In 2027, we're taking things a little further and that journey starts today!
Walk & Talk for MENtal Health is incredibly proud to be a charity partner for the Flawed Hero Marathon 2027 and we have 15 charity partner places available.
If you're looking for a challenge that will push you, support men's mental health and give you the training, coaching and encouragement to help you succeed, this could be it.
In April 2027, the Walk & Talk Flawed Hero Marathon team will stand together at midnight, ready to take on 26.2 miles.
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Starting in the dark.
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Walking or running through the night.
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Finishing in the light.
Fancy being one of them?
I first ran the Flawed Hero Marathon in 2025. Walking through the night and finishing in the light was profound. It mimicked overcoming darkness in my life and that first year I was in tears as I crossed the finish line. In 2026 I returned, this time I took on the challenge with love rather than fear. This is the experience I want to share with the Walk and Talk for MENtal Health Flawed Hero Team.
Chris Wimshurst, Trustee, Walk and Talk for MENtal Health
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT ONE NIGHT IN APRIL
The Flawed Hero Marathon might be the finish line, but the hard work starts now.
This is a marathon. Whether you choose to walk it, run it or do a bit of both, we want you to be set up for success.
From the moment you sign up, you'll have access to the six-month PreFormance® programme, including adaptive training, weekly coaching, a WhatsApp community and guidance on nutrition, recovery and fundraising.
So no, we're not expecting you to be marathon-ready when you put your name forward.
But we are asking you to commit.
To the training. To the challenge. To your fundraising. To your teammates. And, importantly, to yourself.
We want you to put the work in over the next six months and experience that sense of pride when you step up to the start line alongside your team in April knowing you're ready to give it everything you've got.
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We'll share the journey.
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We'll support each other.
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We'll celebrate the progress.
And we'll be there for the inevitable days when it all feels that little bit harder.
FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
Why Flawed Hero Marathon?
There is something about Flawed Hero that particularly resonates with us.
This is a journey where you start in the darkness and keep moving forward, one step at a time, until the light comes.
And moving forward, one step at a time, is something we talk about every day.
We've seen what can happen when someone takes that step.
Sometimes it's joining their first Walk & Talk walk.
Sometimes it's getting out after a difficult week.
Sometimes it's making a new friend.
Sometimes it's finally having a conversation they've been putting off.
There isn't one definition of a step forward.
And in 2027, for 15 people, that step is going to be 26.2 miles long.
WHY WE'RE DOING IT
The Flawed Hero Marathon will be Walk & Talk for MENtal Health's flagship fundraising challenge for 2027.
Every person who takes one of our 15 charity places will fundraise for Walk & Talk.
And every pound raised will help us continue creating opportunities for men to get out, connect, talk and build friendships.
Because we've seen first-hand the difference that connection can make.
Sometimes something as simple as a walk, a conversation and knowing there are people around you is exactly where change begins.
That's what you're taking on those 26.2 miles for.
COULD YOU BE ONE OF OUR 15?
You don't need to be a marathon runner or the fastest, and you certainly don't need to have all the answers about how you're going to manage 26.2 miles right now.
You can walk it. You can run it. You can do a bit of both.
What we're looking for are people who are ready to commit to the challenge, embrace the six-month journey and raise funds for Walk & Talk for MENtal Health along the way.
There is a £49 administration fee to secure your charity place once it has been offered to you and we will ask you to aim to raise £350 through your fundraising page.
You'll then become part of our team and begin your six-month journey towards Flawed Hero Marathon 2027.
Sponsorship Opportunites
Are you a local business interested in supporting these incredible individuals?
Our 15 participants will be putting in the miles, but we're looking for local businesses to get behind them.
Through our Back a Flawed Hero partnership programme, businesses can help fund one, two or three of our charity places and become part of our biggest fundraising campaign of 2027.
Your support won't just help someone get to the start line. You'll be helping that person use their challenge to raise funds and awareness for men's mental health — and helping Walk & Talk continue creating opportunities for men in our community to connect, talk and feel supported.
There are also opportunities to support the wider team's journey through kit, training, fundraising and other campaign partnerships.
Back one. Back three. Back the whole team in spirit.
We'd love to have you alongside us. Drop us an email to learn more.
