It’s good to #RunAndTalk – sign-up to take part from today!

Tuesday 27 August 2019

Search for a #RunAndTalk run taking place near you - sign yourself up, share it with your colleagues, friends and family, encourage everyone to get involved too, then get your trainers at the ready…

#RunAndTalk, our week-long campaign aimed at breaking down stigmas associated with mental health and improving wellbeing through exercise and running, supported by Mind, the mental health charity, is taking place from 23-29 September.

Running clubs, RunTogether groups and other organisations will be hosting #RunAndTalk runs throughout the week, many of which have already planned and added their runs to our website – take a look. Club runners, regular runners, social and occasional runners, and non-runners are all welcome to come along; to run, jog, walk and talk over one mile or more.

This year, #RunAndTalk is placing a specific focus on men’s mental health and is encouraging everyone to sign-up and take the men in their lives on a run. Research shows that men are less likely than women to report severe symptoms of common mental health problems (10% of women report severe symptoms compared to only 6% of men). In addition, suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 20-34, and the biggest killer of men under the age of 50.

1 in 4 of us experience mental health problems each year, and running has been shown to positively impact mental health and wellbeing.

Organised #RunAndTalk runs are led by a UKA qualified leader or coach and some runs will also have a volunteer Mental Health Champion joining in. All the Champions have lived experience of mental health problems themselves or through close family or friends and are passionate about improving mental wellbeing through running.

Chris Jones, England Athletics CEO, said:

‘As an organisation, England Athletics is passionate about mental wellbeing and we’re delighted to be launching our #RunAndTalk campaign for a third year. #RunAndTalk not only highlights the benefits of physical exercise for people experiencing mental health issues, it also shows the importance of the social side of running. Our affiliated clubs and RunTogether groups create fantastically supportive environments where runners of all abilities encourage each other, and most importantly, have a good chat and a laugh together.’

Search and sign-up today!

To search and sign-up for your nearest #RunAndTalk run, visit: runandtalk.co.uk

If you can’t find a run in your area, keep checking back every few days as more runs are being added by organisers all of the time. Whilst runners are actively encouraged to sign up to an organised run, anyone unable to do so can still join in with #RunAndTalk by going for a run with colleagues, family and friends, any time throughout the week and sharing their run on social media using #RunAndTalk.

Follow us…

England Athletics: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

RunTogether: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Clubs, groups and organisations - register your run!

There’s still time to register your run… England Athletics affiliated clubs, groups, or organisations with a UKA-qualified coach or leader can still apply to host a #RunAndTalk run, visit runandtalk.co.uk to find out more.

Reasons to #RunAndTalk

Reduce stress and ease anxieties
Improve mental and physical wellbeing
Improve your mood
Boost confidence and self-esteem
Exercise and socialise – meet new people, make friends!

Opening-up and endorphins is the answer!

A problem shared, is a problem halved. By opening-up to others you not only lighten your load, you encourage others to share their story and can offer advice from your own experiences.