World's First Running Mayors Announced!

'World’s first Running Mayors revealed including Jules, owner of runningRewire and now the Running Mayor of CLAPHAM!'

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A new network of Running Mayors from all across the UK -- and beyond -- were announced today (19th March 2021) having been appointed by Runner’s World and the RunSome campaign and I’m honoured and delighted to say that I’m one of them!!

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The Running Mayors Network is an initiative of the RunSome campaign. Led by Runners World, Active Things and a coalition of leading running brands and organisations, RunSome is urging government to include running in its £2bn active travel funding alongside walking and cycling. With a quarter of a million people in the UK already running everyday journeys, RunSome wants to double that number within the next 12 months, whilst delivering a timely boost to mental and physical health.

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Tasked with advocating for running as an antidote to some of 2021’s toughest challenges the new Running Mayors provide a face and a voice to champion running in the place they know and care about, the city or town where they live.

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In response to my appointment I said, “It’s a real honour to be chosen as one of the Running Mayors. Running has already seen a surge in popularity during the Coronavirus pandemic so let’s encourage people to continue being as active as they can, whenever they can.

Running doesn’t have to be about long weekend runs, or training for an event.. we all lead busy lives so combining running with everyday errands is a win win for most people! Not only will this campaign have a positive impact on the environment and population’s physical health but it comes at a time when people will really benefit from the improvement in mental wellbeing that running provides.”

I also went on to say, “I coach mostly female runners and I’m fully aware that many of them don’t feel safe running alone, I myself have been on the receiving end of a physical attack whilst out running. This needs to change, women need to feel safe on the streets, especially in light of the recent tragic murder of Sarah Everard in this area. I have several ideas including setting up a local network of like-minded runners so that you can see who is available to join you for a run if you don’t want to go alone. I am so excited to share my passion for running, encourage and help those who may not currently run and at the same time make some changes for the better for the runners of Clapham!”

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