Battersea locals are running 83km for Movember in an attempt to break a world record

Local residents Alex Chalker and Rob Mitchell are taking on the ambitious challenge of running 83km around London in the shape of a giant Movember moustache.

The idea is bold, but so is the message. The number 83 isn’t random—it represents the 83 men in Surrey who lost their lives to suicide in 2022. That’s seven every month, nearly six rugby teams in a single year. These are the staggering statistics Alex and Rob want to highlight. Every kilometre of their run will be a tribute to those 83 lives and a call for men to start talking about their mental health.

Alex explained the purpose behind the challenge: “We’re trying to get lads from near and far connecting with each other and talking about their physical and mental health. It’s about showing that those conversations matter—and they can save lives.”

Starting at 7am on 29th November in Battersea, the run won’t just be an endurance feat; it’s also a world record attempt. Alex and Rob aim to complete the largest moustache route ever run on foot in one continuous effort. They’re inviting anyone who’d like to join in—whether for a few kilometres, to cheer them on from the sidelines, or to help spread the word.

This challenge ties into Movember, the annual campaign encouraging men to grow moustaches and raise money to support mental health initiatives. Alex is doing just that, but this year he’s taking it up several notches with the 83km route.

If you want to get involved or show your support, you can message Alex directly on Instagram (@alexchalker). Donations to Movember are also warmly welcomed and go towards funding life-saving mental health and suicide prevention programmes.

So, whether you fancy running a few kilometres or just want to applaud these legends as they take on this incredible challenge, Battersea is the place to be tomorrow. Let’s help Alex and Rob make every kilometre count.