Mum praised for running virtual London Marathon topless to raise awareness of mastectomy scars

A woman ran the virtual London Marathon topless to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Louise Butcher, from Devon, was among the tens of thousands who crossed the finish line yesterday (23 April), completing the mammoth 26.2-mile run.

She was one of 40,000 runners who took part in the iconic event virtually, pounding the streets near her home.

But while most people taking part threw on their lycra tops and vests to keep warm along the route, the mum-of-two decided to do away with any of that.

Last year, the 49-year-old underwent a mastectomy while training for the race, and so in a bid to give other women like her some confidence in their own skin, she went topless.

Speaking about her journey, Louise said it wasn't easy but she wanted to push herself.

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"I did feel out of my comfort zone when I did it," she said. "When you say you're going to do something and then do it, it's different.

"People were looking and then looking again like they couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was getting the attention it needed.

"I had brilliant support but also there was stigma and debate about whether it's right for woman to run with no top even if she has no breasts."

Louise was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer back in April 2022 after she discovered a lump while checking herself.

But rather than let the diagnosis define her and stop her from achieving her goals, she went full throttle and smashed her run in a time of four hours and forty-six minutes.

Louise said that people were great and really supportive along the way.

"The trail was quite quiet in the rain so I was on my own, it was difficult getting no support in the rain," she said.

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"But I powered on and it got easier when people came out under their brollies and were cheering me on, it really helped.

"There were double takes, shock and people saying 'wow' and clapping. As I got closer to Braunton there was more support and people clapping, it started to feel real."

She then added: "I was just getting it all out there, once I got there loads of kids were there and they didn't bat an eyelid at my scars."

And she's already looking to make it to the Mall next year

Louise said: "It was just brilliant, everything I wanted it to be. I've entered the ballot for next year with my friend and hopefully we will get in - I so want to do London, from what I've heard it's unbelievable."

What a legend. Congratulations, Louise!