Last year Louise Butcher, a runner and mum of two was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Now, she is known as her town’s “topless runner,” a move to raise awareness surrounding breast cancer.
“It’s really empowering and I do it every day,” Butcher told the Daily Star. “It’s opening up awareness around breast cancer and helping to normalise it a little bit.”
Butcher, who resides in Devon, England, ran the virtual London Marathon this year—a year after her diagnosis and surgery—in a personal record of 4:46, according to Tyla.com. She wants to run the in-person race in 2024.
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“There were doubletakes, shock, and people saying ‘wow’ and clapping,” Butcher told Tyla.com. “As I got closer to [home] there was more support and people clapping, it started to feel real ... Once I got there loads of kids were there and they didn’t bat an eyelid at my scars.”
Butcher ran the Barnstaple Marathon topless on October 1 (5:24:55) and said there was “a massive outpouring of love.”
She said her topless running feels normal now and it feels weird when she does wear a top.
Heather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a nine-time marathoner with a best of 3:23. She’s also proud of her 19:40 5K and 5:33 mile. Heather is an RRCA certified run coach.
