A new documentary chronicling an astonishing 128-day running challenge by a North East man will be screened at Tyneside Cinema this week, with organisers saying the film could help keep conversations about mental health and suicide alive in communities around North Shields.
From Newcastle to New York — and back to local shores
The film follows Leodhais Macpherson, who last year ran a marathon a day for 128 days, covering roughly 3,332 miles — a distance described by him as the equivalent of travelling from Newcastle to New York. The run was undertaken in memory of his younger brother Conor, who took his own life aged 21.
Organisers have confirmed a sold-out screening on 30 September at Tyneside Cinema, with a second screening scheduled for 6 October. The footage, filmed by Andy Smythe in the final weeks of the challenge, explores both the physical strain of the endeavour and the personal journey of coming to terms with grief.
- Event: Documentary screenings at Tyneside Cinema — 30 Sept (sold out) and 6 Oct
- Subject: 128 daily marathons in 128 days by Leodhais Macpherson
- Purpose: Raise awareness of mental health and suicide; honour Leodhais’s brother Conor
Local consequences and conversations
While the film charts a remarkable physical feat, those involved say its main aim is to continue discussions about mental health in the region — conversations that affect families across North Shields and neighbouring towns. The screening at a central cultural venue such as Tyneside Cinema brings the story into a public forum, offering local people a chance to see how personal loss and communal support intersect.
The story also touches on local emergency services. Tynemouth RNLI was called to a person who had entered the water at the time of Conor’s death, only for no-one to be found — a detail that underlines the immediate local impact of the tragedy and the complexities communities face in responding to crisis.
"The whole purpose of the run and now the film was to continue the conversation [about mental health]. In parts it's hard to watch, but it shows the tough moments as well as the highs."
That reflection, given by Leodhais to media, encapsulates the dual nature of the film: a record of endurance and a platform for discussing grief, prevention and support.
What comes next for the runner
Since completing the 128 marathons, Leodhais has moved to Canada with his fiancée, Jaimie, and has shared plans to continue running at an elite level. He has begun another high-profile project — attempting the World Marathon Majors over two years — and has completed the first three at the time of reporting. The continued public profile gives him a wider platform to speak about his brother and the causes he wishes to champion.
| Figure | Value |
|---|---|
| Consecutive marathons | 128 |
| Approximate miles run | 3,332 |
| Age of runner | 25 |
| Screening dates | 30 Sept (sold out), 6 Oct |
The film’s arrival in Newcastle, and its linkage to a local charity effort and emergency response, is likely to prompt discussion among civic groups, health services and residents about what more can be done locally to prevent similar tragedies. Cinema screenings often act as focal points, prompting panels, fundraising or signposting to support services — outcomes that organisers hope will follow these showings.
For many in North Shields and the wider North East, the story will resonate not only as an extraordinary sporting achievement but as a reminder of the losses behind headline feats and the importance of keeping conversation and support visible in day-to-day life.
