Jack Duddy, the owner of the community café on Sydenham Road, is in the process of running 183.47 miles in seven days, a distance greater than the 126.5 miles from Sydenham to Calais in France.
Jack told the News Shopper: “Today I ran to Box Hill in Surrey, and I’m doing a different route every day.
“I’ve run around my son’s school in North London, through all the parks in southeast London – just trying to mix it up.”
Jack takes on a challenge like this every year in memory of his best friend Adam, who tragically lost his life to suicide.
On his Crowdfunder page, it reads: ‘My grief got me thinking…Why don’t we celebrate our friends more whilst they’re here? Why don’t we open up to them more often?
“And why don’t we tell our neighbours that we love them?
“These thoughts inspired Leo’s evolution and after a few tough years of grieving Leo has blossomed in Adam’s memory.”
This year, his efforts are focused on keeping Leo’s thriving – a café that has become a hub for the local community, hosting live music events, grief support groups, and dad-and-baby meetups.
Leo’s serves vegan and vegetarian dishes alongside coffee, providing a welcoming space for families, creatives, and remote workers.
According to Jack’s Crowdfunder, the funds raised will go towards hiring more staff, improving cooking facilities, supporting emerging musicians and poets, creating additional support groups, and providing work opportunities and apprenticeships for disadvantaged and marginalised groups.
Jack explained: “It’s tough at the moment, so I need a little bit of support.
“We’ve raised around £1,200 so far, and I’m so grateful – this is just a kickstart for all the events we have planned in the next few months.”
Jack has been overwhelmed by the encouragement from those around him.
He added: “My family and friends are cheering me on, and everyone at the café has been so supportive.
“People are there right now, asking how it’s going.”
With just two marathons left to go, Jack is pushing through the final stretch, hoping to hit his fundraising target and keep Leo’s at the heart of the community.
“I do this because of the community aspect and to support people’s mental health,” he explained.
“There’s so much going on at the moment, and that’s why it’s important for the café to be a welcoming place.”
Jack took over Leo’s in early 2023, though the business has been running for around seven years, catering and hosting events.
He remains hands-on despite his marathon challenge.
He said: “I’m there pretty much every day.
“I even popped in this morning before my run – because the café is like my baby.”
