- Louise Butcher ran the 2024 London Marathon topless
- The brave move was all part of her powerful mission
- She is now Guinness World Record holder
Louise Butcher, a keen runner from Devon, England, made history in 2024 when she became the first woman to run the London Marathon topless. Now, she’s getting ready to do it all again at this year’s event on Sunday 27 April.
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Known as The Topless Runner, Butcher’s bold move helped raise money for North Devon District Hospital, which specialises in cancer care and wellbeing.
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She completed the 26.2-mile course just two years after undergoing a double mastectomy for lobular breast cancer – a feat she now holds a Guinness World Record for – and she’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Running topless became her way of breaking the silence around body image. “I kept thinking, how can I get this discussed? How do we address where the stigma comes from?” she told Devon Live.
Butcher, a charity volunteer, will be embarking on the London Marathon this weekend, raising money for the Breast Cancer Now charity.
“I think some people see the topless part and assume it’s a bit of fun. I’m glad it looks fun, but there’s been serious effort behind the scenes,” she said.
Topless TV appearance ahead of London Marathon
Appearing on the UK’s This Morning TV show on Tuesday, Butcher, 51, spoke about her mission to empower others.
“I’ve worked so hard to get these messages out there and empower so many women. It’s about being your authentic self and owning your scars,” she told presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, while sitting topless on the daytime show’s sofa.
“They saved my life – why would I want to hide them?”
The marathon runner said she gets a mixed reaction of “empowerment and joy” when she meets people while out running.
“There are tears of joy when they see me. It was phenomenal last year, like magic. They were cheering, there was no pity there, you can’t pity someone running a marathon,” she said. “I didn’t want to be pitied for losing my femininity and my breasts.”
Overwhelming support
Butcher has received an overwhelming wave of love and support for her courageous efforts, with social media flooded with positive comments.
One user even suggested she deserved a damehood, writing: “Isn’t this lady wonderful! She deserves to be made a Dame after doing this – applauding just isn’t enough 🎉❤️👏👏👏🤩.”
Another called her a “fighter” and a “survivor,” adding: “What a courageous and strong woman.”
A different user praised her decision not to have reconstructive surgery, saying: “Love it! Thank you for raising awareness that you don’t need to reconstruct if you don’t want to.”
Another called her an “amazing woman” and added: “All bodies should be celebrated. Everyone should be free to feel comfortable and confident in their body without judgement ❤”.
And one user agreed with her authenticity, commenting “You are such an inspiration and I agree with you wholeheartedly – be your authentic self! There is nothing more powerful. 🙌🏼😍🩵.
Butcher will be one of more than 50,000 runners taking to the streets of the 45th London Marathon on Sunday. You can show support and read more about her story on her official donation page.
