#backtothestart

Over the last year, running has experienced a boom like never before. During the lockdowns, 8 million people pulled on their trainers and hit the road, many for the first time. People experienced the huge benefits to mental and physical wellbeing that comes with the simple act of running. However, UK race organisers are reporting that the boom in running is not yet translating into participation in events.

Entries for events over the next few months are critically low. Many event organisers are not confident of being able to survive through to next year. Findarace.com Founder David Wearn explains, “during the course of the pandemic, running events have seen a £65m drop in booking revenue. With public confidence not yet fully recovered many events, especially locally-run events that do so much to bring communities together, won’t exist next year”.

Along with our partners, we're calling on runners to support their favourite local events, by signing up for their next event and encouraging friends to join them in getting a race in the diary.

So, how to help? Three steps.