26.2 Reasons to Stay Alive

I am on the Mall, 385 yards from the rest of my life.

Have you ever ran a marathon? Wanted to? Couldn’t think of anything worse? This 60-minute treadmill spectacular might just get you lacing up your trainers and hitting the pavement. This semi-autobiographical comedy follows ‘Runner’ as she navigates her first marathon, and every key moment in her life that lead her to the start line. From chronic illness, bullies, and nights in hospital all the way to the origins of the marathon itself, this play, performed all while running, will leave you wondering - what would you do to stay alive?

Written by actor, writer, designer (and runner!) Laura Mugford, who has now completed four marathons and two ultra-marathons, this small but mighty piece explores why we run. To answer such a question, we must ask ourselves another - what are we running from?