If pandemic living has taught us anything as human beings, it’s that we are adaptable. Despite changes and restrictions to our movement, one aspect of fitness has been consistently achievable: running.

This was evident as people walked or ran, even during national lockdowns. While our regular fitness studios were closed, some of us might have tried walking and running for the first time.

Here’s why running is a choice physical activity in a pandemic and beyond

Once you start running – and not necessarily for very long or too far, say 3 km in 30 minutes – running can become a good habit that has great effects, says Vitality biokineticist, Mari Leach.

“The physical demands of running positively affect just about every system of the body. Take the cardiovascular system. Regular exercise makes your heart stronger, and a stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. The force in your arteries will then decrease, lowering your blood pressure,” says Leach.

“Regular exercise also helps you to maintain a healthy weight, which is another important way to control blood pressure. Running is good at guarding against cancer and also reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and dementia, and symptoms of depression and anxiety,” she says.   

Vitality data tells us that runners have fewer hospital claims than non-runners, and a lower chance of experiencing chronic illness and diabetes. In general, runners have a 25% to 40% reduced risk of premature mortality and live approximately three years longer than non-runners. Especially relevant right now, there is a significantly better prognosis in physically active people who contract COVID-19, says Leach.

What is the Running World Cup?

Vitality has been successfully incentivising people to get more active for over 20 years and we are more committed than ever, in light of the positive effect of activity on COVID-19 outcomes. Our global pledge is to make 100 million people 20% more active by 2025.

That is why, from 21 September to 10 October, the Vitality Running World Cup will give everyone the chance to represent their country in the free-to-enter, knockout, global running competition. Open to anyone over the age of 13, everyone who completes a minimum of three kilometres in under 30 minutes and tracks their kilometres via a smartphone or fitness device, will be able to contribute towards their country’s total. It’s free to enter by signing up at runningworldcup.com.  

Dr Mosima Mabunda, Head of Wellness at Vitality says: “Vitality has a long-standing commitment to running, tying in with park-run and my-run, as well as our own initiatives like Team Vitality and Vitality’s multi-city Run Series – many of which went virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vitality Running World Cup is yet another way for people to reap the benefits of running and feel part of a global campaign, even if we do this virtually. We have so many rewards for those who participate!”   

DM/ML