Scottish Running Week x University of Edinburgh Sport

Organised by Athletics Trust Scotland, Scottish Running Week, previously known as National Running Week, will celebrate athletics across the country in a bid to increase participation through a wide variety of activities including a 5k – Any Way Challenge and local inclusive running events hosted by clubs and organisations.

 Mark Munro, Director of Sport & Active Health, The University of Edinburgh said:

We are delighted to be lead partner for this year’s Scottish Running Week. We believe that sport, in this case jogging, pushing and running, has the ability to positively change people’s lives, particularly their social, physical and mental health. We have an amazing community of runners at the University, from those competing, and supporting those competing, at World, Commonwealth and Olympic level to those taking part in our ‘Learn to Run’ and ‘Social Run’ programmes, to those who run, by themselves or with others, for their physical and mental wellbeing. All in all, Scottish Running Week is a brilliant opportunity for our students, staff, alumni and wider community to get active and get involved.

Scottish Running Week also aims to raise funds for The Scottish Athletics Trust Transforming Lives projects, which supports disadvantaged communities through the sport. In its first year it raised significant amounts through local clubs, businesses and individuals, which contributed to 10 recipients of Transforming Lives grants. These inaugural projects supported included rehabilitation of current and former prisoners, disability athletics equipment and equipment for female athletes at a high school.

Graeme Jack, Chair of Athletics Trust Scotland, said:

The running community is uniquely supportive and keen to help others participate and succeed, and Scottish Running Week is a big opportunity to do just that. Scottish Running Week is for everyone and there will be multiple ways to get involved, from a 5k Your Way Challenge, webinars and events, opportunities to meet and run with your favourite running podcasters, to club and Jog Scotland initiatives. Every penny raised will go to disadvantaged communities, helping more people in Scotland to access all of the physical and mental health benefits of participation in running and athletics.

Eilidh Doyle, Patron of Athletics Trust Scotland and University of Edinburgh Sports Hall of Fame Inductee said:

The running community is huge and having Scottish Running Week is a great initiative. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate different athletes from all over the country, hear different stories and most importantly encourage and celebrate getting out for a run and being active. They’ll be lots of exciting things happening so I encourage everyone to keep an eye out and get involved any way they can!

Athletics Trust Scotland is a charity focused on supporting disadvantaged communities through the power of sport. The organisation’s first grant funding to support these communities through its Transforming Lives programme, was delivered in 2023.