PAIN 134

PAIN 134

06.09.2026 – 12.09.2026

Origin

Created by Smls founder Danny Allan after losing his best friend Charlie to suicide in his late teens, PAIN exists to raise awareness and funding for the mental health crisis affecting one of the most vulnerable groups in society: 16–18 year olds.

What began as a personal challenge has grown into a global movement. Since 2023, PAIN has raised over £25,000 to support young people struggling to access help when they need it most.

All funds raised go directly into the Smls pathway, providing free mental health therapy sessions for 16–18 year olds in Leith who are currently stuck on waiting lists.

PAIN is about pushing limits - but more importantly, it’s about making sure no one has to struggle alone.

The Legacy

Historically PAIN has been made up of three loops covering the distance around Edinburgh:

• The first 100km for everyone fighting their own mental battles
• The final loop – Charlie’s Loop – represents the age Charlie would have been - each year, that final loop increases by 1km.

PAIN 131. PAIN 132. PAIN 133.
Now, PAIN 134.

What’s New This Year

For the first time since PAIN 131, the event returns to an individual format and opens fully to the public.

Instead of one single day, PAIN 134 takes place over 7 days, making the challenge more accessible while keeping its meaning intact.

How It Works

The First 100KM (Your Challenge)

• Complete 100km in your own time
• Anytime between:
  Sunday 6th September (00:00) – Friday 11th September (23:59)
• Run, split, or structure the distance however you like
• All runners must be in the Smls Strava group so their km's can be counted

This part is personal. It’s about commitment, resilience, and showing up - your way.

Charlie’s Loop (The Event)

• 34km run on Saturday 12th September at 11:00
• This is the community and race day element of PAIN
• Open to everyone - whether you completed the 100km or not

Charlie’s Loop will once again be run simultaneously in:

• Edinburgh
• Melbourne
• Cape Town

A shared moment across cities, united by the same purpose.

The Race Element

PAIN has never been about competition - but for those who want to test themselves, it’s there.

To qualify for the race:

• You must complete the 100km before Saturday
• You must be registered and tracking via the Strava group - https://www.strava.com/clubs/Smls
  

Winners:

• Male and female winners in each city
• One overall global winner

The winner is simply the first to complete Charlie’s Loop having completed the 100km beforehand.

Entry

• £10 entry fee (for Charlie’s Loop)
• You can take part in Charlie’s Loop without completing the 100km
• However, the 100km is required to qualify for the race

Every entry directly supports:
Free mental health therapy for 16–18 year olds in Leith

More Than a Run

PAIN isn’t just about distance.

It’s about remembering Charlie.
It’s about showing up for others.
It’s about creating access to support where it's desperately needed.

Whether you run 100km, 34km, or simply come along to support - you’re part of something that matters.