Get Bath Running through lockdown 2 and the winter.

A group of local running event promoters and activators, including Team Bath AC, have joined forces to launch the GET BATH RUNNING initiative to promote opportunities for running and fitness during Lockdown 2.0 and the winter

Running is the most popular sport in the UK, enjoyed by 7.5 million adults each week, including 25,000 adults in the Bath area, according to Sport England’s Active Lives Survey,. It is also one of the only sports to have increased in participation since the coronavirus, with almost a million downloads of the popular free NHS ‘Couch to 5K’ app in March and June, a 92% increase compared to 2019.

Local running event organisers have also launched a number of virtual events and challenges encouraging people from all walks of life to improve their exercise habits by working towards a goal and earning rewards and medals.

Runners can find details of local running and fitness events, coaching and training tips, including free resources, on the new Get Bath Running website and can share their progress and stories on #getbathrunning and on collaborators’ own social media platforms.

Get Bath Running encourages people to get active, whilst also seeking to place physical fitness and exercise at forefront of the recovery plan from the coronavirus, supporting the emerging consensus that a twin-track approach is needed, with infection control measures alongside measures to promote physical activity and fitness.

“Regular exercise and physical fitness will help you feel better, sleep better and eat better – contributing to an overall better quality of life.  Outdoor exercise is particularly beneficial and at low risk of coronavirus transmission.

It’s been known for a while that regular exercise will strengthen your immune system and reduce your risk of many lifestyle related diseases, whilst also contributing to positive mental health and wellbeing. 

Recent studies, including a review by Public Health England, have shown that regular exercise and being physically fit will also reduce your risk both of catching COVID-19, and of suffering a worse outcome from COVID-19” According to Andrew Taylor, Race Director of the Bath Half Marathon, one of the organisers of the initiative.

Get Bath Running is a not-for-profit joint initiative by local running and fitness activators including : BathFitFam, Bath Running Tours, Hannah The Runner, KimFit, Run Bath & Run Coach Angela and Team Bath Athletic Club, and local running event organisers Relish Running (Two Tunnels) and Running High Events (Bath Half Marathon), with additional contributions from Align Body Clinic, Bitton Road Runners, DB Max, RaceAhead, Team Bath at the University of Bath and Bath-based Women’s Running magazine.