Louise Burcher, a 56-year-old mother of two, has become the first woman to complete an ultramarathon topless. She has competed in 18 long-distance races without wearing a top, aiming to raise awareness of lobular breast cancer, a condition she was diagnosed with four years ago.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Lobular breast cancer begins in the milk glands and is harder to detect as it does not always form a firm lump. After diagnosis, Burcher underwent a double mastectomy and chose not to have reconstructive surgery. She now runs topless, proudly displaying her scars.
Burcher discovered a lump in her breast during a routine check in the shower in April 2022. Despite a clear mammogram three weeks prior, an ultrasound confirmed a grade two diagnosis. She had a single mastectomy in June 2022, where surgeons found a 5cm tumor close to her chest wall. She later had her second single mastectomy in August 2022 and five rounds of radiotherapy.
Running as Therapy
Burcher, an avid runner, was already signed up for the virtual London Marathon in October 2022 before her diagnosis. She says training became a welcome distraction during her health struggles. 'I carried on training through both mastectomies, because I didn't know how else to cope with such trauma,' she said. Running was the only way she could trick her mind into knowing she was physically OK.
The idea to run topless came from realizing how little is known about lobular breast cancer. 'I wanted to bring lobular out in the open,' she said. 'I just couldn't believe how all the ladies I speak to have never heard of it, despite it being the 2nd most common type of breast cancer.'
Record-Breaking Achievements
After a successful virtual marathon in 2022, Burcher ran it virtually again in 2023. On April 21, 2024, she became the first woman to run the official London Marathon topless. She earned a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon with a double mastectomy, finishing in five hours, 36 minutes, and raised £3,500 for Breast Cancer Now.
'People were crying, women were shouting my name, breast cancer surgeons were coming up to me – it was just unbelievable,' she said.
Local Hero and Trolls
Known as 'The Topless Runner,' Burcher often jogs around her hometown of Braunton, Devon, without a top, earning her local hero status. She has faced trolls leaving cruel comments about her body, but she refuses to let it affect her. 'I've never felt more feminine,' she said. 'My scars show the battle that I survived. It's normal where I am now. It feels weird when I wear a top to run!'
Burcher has now completed five marathons, seven half marathons, two 10-milers, three 10Ks, and one ultramarathon. She continues to inspire others, receiving messages from women daily that give her goosebumps.
