In an effort to raise money for Autism East Midlands, a local charity supporting autistic people and their families, Notts local - Charles Evans - a creative, an actor, and autistic person himself takes on part challenge, part statement: a backwards marathon that’s as much about community and visibility as it is about proving that difference is strength. We spoke to Charles about his mission to celebrate neurodiversity and Out Of Order, a documentary being made about his training and self-discovery…
The day itself is a community event, Charles and the team are calling on the whole city to be there to support. “This marathon is not just about Charles or running a long way, it is about embracing who you are and doing things in a unique way, celebrating difference and neurodiversity,” said Stef White, a member of Charles’ team. “There is still a large stigma around neurodiversity and autism, this has been clear from everybody we interviewed whilst making the documentary, so we’re now saying it is not enough just to accept diversity, it needs to be actively celebrated.”
Co-produced by East Midlands-based filmmakers Stef White (Chicken Town) and Louis Greatorex (LAYLA, Masters of the Air), the documentary also features Nottingham’s own Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us, Game of Thrones) who has been open about their experience of being neurodiverse. “Charles running a marathon backwards is the perfect allegory for what it’s like to be neurodiverse,” said Bella. “We see things differently, sometimes do things differently, and sometimes in a way that other people would call weird. But that ‘weirdness’ is exactly what Charles is celebrating and championing for every neurodiverse person by achieving this incredible feat and sharing every backwards stride with us in the documentary.”
So how did this all come about? Charles spoke to us to share his story…
Why backwards? Where did the idea for running an entire marathon in reverse come from?
We’re making a film about celebrating neurodiversity. We wanted some kind of vehicle to hold the film together. It had to be a challenge and it had to be weird. I was talking to my Mum about it and she said, “I know you, you’re going to do something stupid like run backwards” and right then it was decided.
Backwards running is unconventional, disorienting, and demands a different kind of focus - was that intentional as a metaphor for how autistic people often navigate the world?
What started off as a silly idea has grown into something quite beautiful. There are lots of parallels. I think in a physical sense backwards running represents the extra struggles for neurodivergent people, but more than that it represents the delight in seeing things from a different perspective. You can do something in a wacky way and still achieve the same result. Perhaps even with more merit…
You’ve said this marathon is “part challenge, part statement.” Can you unpack that? What does it really mean to you?
I want to challenge normality. For me backwards equals rebellion. As well as this being a journey of self-expression I think the world is too set in its ways and difference needs to be celebrated. I believe neurodiverse voices and the expression that comes with it is often muted and this is me not standing for it anymore.
Tell us about the impact Autism East Midlands have in the community?
As well as outreach support, Autism East Midlands provides a number of different services including respite care for families with neurodiverse family members and access to Neuro-hubs. Neuro-hubs are spaces where anybody up to 25 years old can go to get support and also to engage in activities with likeminded people.
What kind of impact do you hope the funds raised will have for autistic people and their families locally?
The money raised will go towards supporting all services provided by Autism East Midlands. As well as the support already mentioned, this will cover day provision services, enriching the environment with sensory equipment such as swings, trikes, and trampolines. The money will go towards running parent workshops and also employment support for their autistic service users.
Hopefully people may feel inspired to step away from conformity, and step away from self-suppression, or simply try something new. Art is one of the greatest forms of expression, and a world without neurodivergent artists would not be a pleasant one to live in
What message do you hope this sends to autistic people - especially younger people - in Nottingham and beyond?
You have a voice. You being autistic is what makes you, you. You’re unique and your differences make you stand out. Don’t hide them, let them out for all to see. Normal is overrated.
You’ve described this as about visibility and community. What kind of visibility do you feel is missing right now for neurodiverse people?
Community is everything. Being around those who understand is important. The key to visibility lies with listening and understanding. This is a world built for the neurotypical. Yet out-of-the-box thinking is desired. Through our differences we bring a lot to the table. Open your eyes, give us a platform - we’re interesting.
What does ‘celebrating neurodiversity’ look like to you in everyday life?
Leaving the mask at the door. Not being afraid to express myself however I want to, and to feel and be the way that I naturally am. Whether I’m stimming, dancing, being loud, being grumpy, being me, whoever that is in the moment. Just being unashamedly autistic.
Was there a moment in your life when you realised that ‘difference is strength’ was more than a saying - that it was something you wanted to live by?
Honestly during this process, I’ve always been a little bit okay with being a bit different but not until going full guns blazing with this project had I realised how much of me was suppressed.
Six months of training for a backwards marathon is not a small undertaking - what has surprised you most about preparing for something so niche and demanding?
How many times people have told me it’s good for my knees.
What do you hope the film achieves in terms of visibility for neurodiversity? And in terms of your background in film, what role do you think art, film, and storytelling play in celebrating neurodiversity?
I would love for more people to realise that there is beauty in difference, neurodiverse or not. Hopefully people may feel inspired to step away from conformity, and step away from self-suppression, or simply try something new. Art is one of the greatest forms of expression, and a world without neurodivergent artists would not be a pleasant one to live in.
So far, the fundraising has been going well, with the team already at 58% of their goal. The target is £2424 (42 backwards) and they are currently sitting at £1404.
The backwards marathon will take place from 10am on Sunday 7 September at the Forest Recreation Ground. Follow Charles’ progress and donate to the GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Autism East Midlands here.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
