Massive Total Recorded On Simplyhealth Great Run Day
Following a hugely successful Simplyhealth Great North Run weekend, some impressive statistics have been recorded from the first ever Simplyhealth Great Run Day, held over the two days.
More than 1.5million miles of activity was clocked up by more than a quarter of a million people including many who signed up for the initiative, which encouraged people to be part of the UK’s most active weekend. That’s the equivalent distance to the moon and back three times over.
Data from Strava, the social network for athletes, indicates that 190,103 runs were recorded in the UK over the weekend, suggesting that the day of the Simplyhealth Great North Run is set to be the most active day of the year.
Simplyhealth and Great Run used the power of the Simplyhealth Great North Run to inspire people to be part of the UK’s most active weekend. The Simplyhealth Great Run Day was a celebration of movement and was about more than just running.
Its aim was to inspire people to get active in any way they wished, with activities such as walking, wheeling, climbing steps, hiking and yoga being logged on the Simplyhealth Great Run Day web hub.
In all, 564,964 of the miles were recorded by the record-breaking 43,127 finishers in the Simplyhealth Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon which was won by Mo Farah for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time.
The total also includes 572 miles which were clocked up by staff at the Barilla Pasta Party on the eve of the Simplyhealth Great North Run, as they served up a staggering 22,000 portions of pasta to energy-seeking runners.
Claire Lomas, who took five days to complete the Great North Run in 2016 despite being paralysed from the chest down, recorded a mile in her special ‘bionic’ suit as her personal contribution to the total.
Romana Abdin, CEO of Simplyhealth, said: “The Simplyhealth Great Run Day is a completely new initiative, and a major step to achieving our ambition to get millions moving.
“We want to inspire individuals, families and communities to be more active and firmly belief that movement is the cornerstone to good health. It doesn’t matter whether for you that means running a half marathon, or just taking that first step to getting active; every little counts.”
Simplyhealth and Great Run used the power of the Simplyhealth Great North Run to inspire people to be part of the UK’s most active weekend. The Simplyhealth Great Run Day was a celebration of movement – that included running, jogging, walking and every other kind of activity in between.
There are plans to expand on the initiative on the weekend of the 2018 Simplyhealth Great North Run, which will be held on 8-9 September.
Related Articles
1/11
Groundbreaking Joint Venture for Future of Athletics in the UK
UK Athletics (UKA), The Great Run Company (GRC) and London Marathon Events (LME) today announced the creation of a new joint venture, Athletic Ventures.
Doting Brothers Set to Race in Memory of Baby Sister
Two loving brothers from Newcastle-Under-Lyme are limbering up to take on the AJ Bell Junior and Mini Great Birmingham Run in memory of their little sister.
Great Birmingham Run scores a hat-trick!
With a month to go before the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run, the three football clubs are encouraging fans to run for their community foundations.
Arup are up for the challenge on Sunday 5 May
39 runners from engineering giant Arup are taking on the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge.
Taking it in Their Stride in Memory of a Friend
One team of Great Birmingham Run runners is gearing up for a challenge that goes beyond the miles they'll pound on the pavement.
10 Reasons you should run the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run
As we countdown to event day on 5 May, we spell out 10 reasons why you should get involved and (if you haven’t already!) sign up.
Emon’s expert tips for training during Ramadan
A reality TV star who ran back to back marathons while fasting during Ramadan is now aiming to inspire his fellow Muslim runners.
Power of Running: Andrew Porter
Andrew Porter, 47, has ran every Great Manchester Run 10k since it started in 2003. Read Andrew's story.
Power of Running: Halee Robinson
After falling out of love with running Halee signed up for the Great Birmingham Run and hasn't looked back. Read Halee's story.
Power of Running: Helen Ryvar
Helen Ryvar is the Guinness World Record Holder for running the most consecutive half marathons, hitting 111 back in 2021. Read Helen's story.
Power of Running: Holly Tilt
Holly Tilt is making her comeback one year after sustaining a serious head injury. Read Holly's story.
