Looking back on an impactful #RunAndTalk Week

#RunAndTalk Week took place earlier this month to coincide with World Mental Health Day (10 October). It was great to see 121 groups dedicate at least one session during the week to opening conversations around mental health and creating space for real social connection.

#RunAndTalk encourages open conversations about mental health, helping to reduce stigma, raise awareness and support people with mental health challenges to engage in running wherever they are on their journey.

This year was particularly special as we celebrated ten years of #RunAndTalk and our long-standing Mental Health Champions. That's a decade of bringing people together through running, walking, talking and community.

From tea and talk sessions to mental health bingo, post-run socials and even changing the person you are running with each kilometre, running groups got creative with ways to engage their runners and open conversations. Let's see how your clubs and groups supported each other and got involved in #RunAndTalk Week.

Supporting our own and others' mental health

Sue Bennett, Mental Health Champion at West Berkshire RunTogether, understands the importance of looking after mental health and how group running can support this.

"I have been part of #RunAndTalk since its inception, I have always had a passion for how we must look after our own as well as others' mental health. Our socials runs mean we can do a lot of talking, a lot of often invisible supporting, you never know how much that run and talk meant until you get home and process the change you now feel."

During #RunAndTalk Week Sue led her RunTogether group on a run around a local lake because it is a beautiful and peaceful place to go. All runners also received a green charm to keep, which Sue explained, "would remind them of what World Mental Health Day and #RunAndTalk means to them whenever they see or touch it."

100% of the groups who look part in #RunAndTalk Week activity agree that it had a positive impact on wellbeing and over 75% agreed that their runs helped open conversations around mental health. Many also found that the prompts provided by England Athletics supported those discussions. Sue understands personally the impact that support from other runners can provide through challenging times.

"Running and walking side by side with others helped me get through a diagnosis of Breast Cancer as well as beyond. It has always been there to help me deal with my long term condition, but recently it became even more profound."

Strengthening connections with other runners

We know that running can positively impact a person's mental health and wellbeing, but running together with can provide even greater support through the connections made with others. In fact, 93% of groups who took part in #RunAndTalk Week agreed that the event had strengthened connections within the group. A runner from Clowne Road Runners praised the group's #RunAndTalk session:

"Today's run and talk was a lovely reminder that running is about more than pace and distance! We enjoyed a steady 4-mile run which was inclusive for all abilities, chatting and sharing experiences along the way, some happy, some sad and took the time to listen to each other. You never know what someone might be going through and friendly chat and a little support can mean more than you realise."

Running side by side provides a less pressured opportunity for people to open up and feel supported. Participants reported feeling supported and included in 100% of the #RunAndTalk sessions. Another member of Clowne Road Runners described how supportive their #RunAndTalk run was:

"From start to finish everyone within the club provided warmth, bringing wholesome energy, friendly smiles, and understanding on a glorious autumn Sunday morning."

Thank you to our network of Mental Health Champions across the country for bringing #RunAndTalk Week to life in your clubs and RunTogether groups.

Save the dates for #RunAndTalk Week 2027

• 10-16 May – Mental Health Awareness Week
• 4-10 October – World Mental Health Day