Our thinking

Running for myself no more

24 May, 2024

Sometimes the idea of putting on your trainers and going for a run can feel exhausting before you even start. And even if you’ve made it out the front door, finding the motivation to keep on jogging can require some serious self-discipline. 

But if you’re part of a running group, who meet at a pre-arranged time, hold you accountable to show up (and then actually run) and who provide a sense of support and community, then going on a run transforms from being a self-driven, solo chore to a group activity that isn’t so easy to excuse yourself from. 

Our friends at England Athletics and Home Country Athletics Federation have clocked on to the power of a running group, and support 500,000 runners and athletes through network clubs and social running groups. They’ve found that members of these groups experience increased wellbeing through the combination of physical activity and being part of a supportive group environment. And now they’ve set themselves the task of bringing mental health champions  – whose role it is to support people to access the mental wellbeing benefits of running and support people to speak openly about their mental health – to all these groups. So far, they’ve provided champions to 10% of their groups, and have found that those with access experience improved mental wellbeing than the average runner. 

For more information and to support this important campaign, visit the England Athletics website and learn how you can contribute to the mental health of runners nationwide. In the meantime, why don’t you round up some friends or colleagues, and go for a run?  

By Rosie Serlin