Christopher Rodgers is running 500 miles in six points of PPE to raise awareness of mental health challenges in construction (Image courtesy of Christopher Rodgers)

Christopher Rodgers, group strategic safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) manager at Ethical Power, decided to undertake the gruelling challenge after learning of the industry鈥檚 high suicide rate.

He is raising money for the charity, dedicated to fostering better mental health in construction.

An average of around 500 construction workers take their own lives each year, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.

The figure prompted Rodgers to attempt to run a total of 500 miles over 36 weeks (the equivalent of a half marathon per week), starting at the beginning of this year, up until World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.

To make the challenge even tougher, he will be wearing full PPE, including a hard hat and safety glasses, overalls, and work boots. He鈥檒l also have a 2.2m-long flag bearing the message: 鈥淚 need to hear your support. This hurts.鈥�

Explaining why he decided to put himself through such a tough test, Rodgers told Construction Briefing, 鈥淚鈥檝e worked in construction for nearly eight years and especially in my previous company, I travelled a lot of the UK. I saw a lot of struggles in people in the industry for various reasons.

鈥淚 did a bit of research one day and saw that over 500 people on average take their own lives in construction every year, which is terrible. I鈥檝e got a one-year-old daughter and I looked at her and just thought: 鈥業magine if suicide took me away from her.鈥� It really got to me.

鈥淲ithin the business I am in now, I have a platform to start to make a change. The idea started, then it just went into motion, and all of a sudden, I am a week in with sore feet!鈥�

Official half marathons planned

While Rodgers plans to accumulate the required weekly distance across multiple runs during some weeks, during others he will be running a full half marathon in one go, touring the country to raise awareness as he does so.

(Image courtesy of Christopher Rodgers)

鈥淚 think I have 13 or 14 official half marathons booked across the UK: the Scottish Half Marathon in Edinburgh, one in Northern Ireland, Newcastle, Kent, Birmingham, Manchester, Derby.鈥�

He will also be documenting some of his runs on social media, via TikTok and Instagram, talking about mental health in construction as he does so.

As for running in full PPE, he said, 鈥淭he safety gear that I am wearing could get me into an electrical substation. That鈥檚 how highly rated it is. It鈥檚 definitely not easy. It gets heavier as the run goes on and the boots are very comfortable but they are obviously not built for running so my feet are sore. It鈥檚 also very hot, even in cold weather.

鈥淚 am not a mental health professional but I just want to educate people and give them the best information about mental health. I am just someone who cares and wants to make a difference.鈥�

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.