Super four take on six half marathons

01/08/2024

Four ambitious influencers are taking on the huge challenge of completing six half marathons in one year for Rethink Mental Illness.

The team, made up of Esmee Gummer, Sam Tomlinson, Ethan Smith and Omar Mansour, will be travelling Europe to complete the 6IN1 feat as a part of the SuperHalfs Half Marathon Series.

Having already completed the first leg in Prague, they will be stomping their running shoes between now and April 2025 through the streets of Copenhagen, Cardiff, Valencia, Lisbon, and Berlin. 

We’re so grateful to Esmee, Sam, Ethan and Omar for taking this on to raise vital funds to support us in being there for everyone affected by mental illness. And we wish them the best of luck, because we know the cause is close to their hearts. 

Esmee, from Heybridge, Essex, was left paralysed at age 18 after she reacted to the anaesthetic and anti-sickness drugs during a hernia operation.

The personal trainer, who has since appeared on Channel 4’s SAS Who Dares Wins, suffered eight hours of seizures and was left paralysed from the waist down and temporarily brain damaged.

After undergoing rigorous physio, Esmee slowly started to regain movement in her legs and taught herself how to walk again. She has now completed over 50 races and hopes to add the 6IN1 to her growing list of achievements. 

Esmee said: “Mental health is something I am so passionate about as I see day in and day out what the difference of movement can make to anyone, even myself!

“That’s one of the reasons I founded my Say Yes Club, a running community to encourage people to say yes to do more for their mental and physical health, so I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to get behind the series and Rethink Mental Illness.”

Spur the team on

Help Esmee, Sam, Ethan and Omar smash their fundraising target of £10,000 for Rethink Mental Illness

Esmee’s teammate, Ethan Smith, star of reality show Too Hot to Handle, said: “For me I’ve always struggled with my mental health growing up and this charity is something close to my heart and I’m really excited to give back.

“It’s the largest problem facing our generation and I would love to do anything to help.”

And 32-year-old Omar added: “Running has always been a huge part of my life and being able to support a mental health charity, a daily topic that impacts everyone is something I am really passionate about especially if I can get more men opening up the conversation of mental health.”

Realbuzz, the official partner for the SuperHalfs Series, pledged to give each of the influencers their first donation.

Kirsty Angrove, Chief Marketing Officer at Realbuzz, said: “We are proud to support Esmee, Ethan, Omar and Sam as they take on these fantastic races. 

“These half-marathons are famed the world over for being the best in their distance to compete in and we want to support our team every step of the way to complete the challenge and raise as much vital fundraising as possible for such an incredible cause.”

Inspired to get involved?

If Esmee, Sam, Ethan and Omar's adventure has got you in the mood to take the challenge, you can! 

Sign up here to take on the SuperHalf Series and change the lives of people living with mental illness.

If you're keen to take on just one half marathon, we have places available for the Prague Half 2025 and the Berlin Half 2025