Get running and make a difference

Londoners of all ages are urged to get more active and take part in the first run2work day this Thursday, writes Miranda Bryant
Miranda Bryant2 June 2014

Leading sporting figures, politicians and top businessmen today rallied together to tell Londoners to trade their Oyster cards for trainers for one day and run to work.

This Thursday is the first of five monthly run2workdays, supported by the Evening Standard with the aim of having 20,000 runners take part raising £100,000 for charity.

Everyone who registers is being asked to donate £5 — the average cost of a one-way trip on public transport — to the Dispossessed Fund.

The aim of the movement is to promote a change in attitudes towards exercise and the environment that rivals the cycling revolution that has already taken place in the capital.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has already backed the scheme as a “great idea that will unite our dynamic and athletic workforce” and he was joined today by Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham.

The Labour MP, who is a keen runner himself, challenged Londoners to join him by running part or all the way to work and using it as a springboard for improving their lifestyles and long term wellbeing.

Burnham, the former minister for culture, media and sport ran the London Marathon this year and said he now “loves” running and finds it a great release for stress. He said: “We’ve seen the change in London over the last decade in terms of people cycling to work and this feels like a bit of an extension to that.

“I would hope that if you get people to do it once, they might do it again. I think it’s a great idea.”

He added: “Sometimes it’s an interesting experience to run somewhere you only drive to or get to on public transport. Sometimes it doesn’t cross your mind that you could run.”

Burnham, who runs in Kennington where he lives during the week, said London has “set the bar” and is more active than other parts of the country, but insisted that there is still work to be done.

“If people ran to work once a week, it would be a great thing to do on many levels. Not just in terms of your own health, but you might save a bit of money, reduce congestion and help the environment.”

Burnham’s message was echoed by the group chief executive of Barclays Antony Jenkins, who is encouraging all his staff to join in run2work.

Jenkins, who runs part of his journey into the office most days, said: “The financial and fitness benefits of running for part or all of your journey into work are well known.

“What I particularly enjoy on the days when I do it is the feeling of arriving in the office firing on all cylinders and energised for what lies ahead — run2work day is an opportunity to see your journey into work in an entirely different way.”

The movement has also received backing from sportsmen and women regardless of ability, and reinforced the message that you don’t have to run your entire journey to the office.

Leading the call to arms was Paralympic 100m and 200m sprinter Stef Reid, who won silver in long jump at the London Games. She said running to work “just makes sense” and is a good way to begin the day.

Reid said: “Who wouldn’t want to exchange traffic jams or a sardine packed Tube ride for nature? Running always clears my head and puts me in a really great mood — what a great way to start the day and get your workout in — no excuses.”

England and Essex cricketer Ravi Bopara agreed and said “everyone” should get involved.

The 29-year-old Londoner added: “It’s a great opportunity to get active before a long day at work, while raising money for charity at the same time. You may even enjoy it, and it could become a regular feature of your working week.”

Paralympian Bethy Woodward, who is the T37 400m world champion, praised the “fantastic campaign”.

She said: “The run2workday is a fantastic campaign that obviously brings benefits in various forms.

“As a whole, we as a country need to lead healthier lives, and running to work is the start of that. Even just a small amount of exercise a day will bring long-term health benefits. So go on, get out and run to work.”

Former Commonwealth and world champion swimmer Karen Pickering MBE, 42, said: “Running to work is a fantastic idea. Anything to get people more active and healthy is a brilliant initiative and has so many benefits.”

Ex-Olympic marathon runner Liz Yelling says that run2work is not just for the super-fit and said: “This Thursday, spend a little extra time on you and your health, and run to work.

“You don’t have to run all the way – just do as much or as little as you can manage. Come on people lace them-up and let’s go running to work!”

Hugh Brasher, race director of the London Marathon, added: “Inspiring people to take up sport and raising money for charity are two core purposes of the London Marathon, which is why we think this initiative is great.

“For some people, running the whole way to work is too far, so running part of the way is a good place to start.”

How to Register...

It’s simple

Visit www.run2work.com and click on #run2workday. Then simply fill in your details and receive all these amazing offers…

  • Free Audible download
  • Complimentary Virgin Active guest pass for you and a friend
  • 15% off your running shoes at Sweatshop, online and in-store
  • Free issue of Outdoor Fitness
  • A chance to win one of 50 pairs of New Balance running shoes
  • Regular emails with tips and advice to keep you going
  • New routes from the run2work community

The Dispossessed: donate your £5 daily travel costs to the Evening Standard’s charity using the link on run2work.com or go to www.dispossessedfund.communityfoundations.org.uk.

Remember: this is not a race and you can run as far as you like.

More to come: don’t worry if you can’t take part this week. We’ll be making the first Thursday in each month to October a #run2workday.

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