‘I hate running – why should we make every child run?’ suggested a prominent PE Lead a few years ago. I didn’t push back at the time, but I wish I did.

When I see somebody running, especially early in the morning, I think that person is winning their day.

Yes, there is more to a broad & balanced physical education than physical development. But we don’t cancel fractions or spellings because we hate them. And the inherent feeling of running well is enjoyable.

We were born to move.

I remember going for a short run at Bracknell RFC, aged 17, at the start of a training session on a cold, misty evening. I often recall how this was such a good wake up activity for both the body and the mind.

As Head of PE in my last secondary teaching role, we began Year 7-11 lessons with a 3-minute run. We had the most inactive, disengaged Year 11s chatting with friends, while jogging, unprompted.

We evolved this run to 4 minutes.

In more than twenty years, I have yet to find a child (fortunate enough to be able to walk) who cannot access, join in and feel positive value from running.

Children walk, jog or run for 3 minutes in every Gymrun Curriculum lesson. The run content varies, but we always celebrate & build this running habit.

In our Gymrun NHS program, I support a 16-year-old who couldn’t jog for 30 seconds. She is now doing Couch-5km & can jog for 3 minutes x 4. She has challenged herself to do a parkrun a year from now.

So many children fall out of the running habit aged 10-11. It becomes a dark art & something not for them – until they realise its immense value in later life.

Spencer Matthews pictured above is a running inspiration for me and for so many people. Let’s get children running and keep them running!


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