2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon - open for entries
Vhi Healthcare research highlights trends in running and walking to keep fit
57% of people are taking to the pavements to keep fit
1 in 3 are planning to take part in an organised running event in 2016
Key findings from the Vhi Healthcare report:
- 57% of people are interested in power walking or running to keep fit
- Just 1 in 5 are a member of a gym or fitness club
- Main motivation for power walking or running is to be fit and healthy (43%), followed by a desire to lose weight (16%) and feel good (13%)
- 26% of women don’t run or power walk because they feel like they are not able for it, 8% don’t like exercising outside. Just 7% said they don’t like how they look while running
- 43% of people who follow a training programme use a fitness app or website
- Graham Norton is the celeb Irish people would most like to exercise with (21%) followed by Katie Taylor (20%) and Bressie (15%)
Tuesday, 16th February, 2016 - Irish people are sitting up and taking notice of the importance of exercise with the latest research from Vhi Healthcare showing that 57% of people are turning to power walking or running to keep fit, with almost half (49%) taking to the pavements at least three times a week.
The research* was conducted by Ignite Research on behalf of Vhi Healthcare to identify trends in running, jogging and walking in Ireland to mark the launch of the 2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, the largest female participation event of its kind in the world, which is now open for entries.
Participation
Value for money and fresh air when exercising are high priority for Irish people with just 1 in 5 stating they are members of a fitness or health club.
Equally, we are a nation who likes to march to the beat of our own drum when it comes to exercise with over half (51%) of the people surveyed preferring to walk or jog because they can do it on their own, 47% liking the fact that they can do it in their own time and 38% citing that they like going at their own pace.
31% of people said they had previously participated in an organised (timed) running event with 5K events proving most popular (60% participation) overall and 51% of females choosing to take part in 10K events.
Motivations to power walk or run
Health is our main motivation for this form of exercise with the vast majority (43% of people) saying they regularly power walk or run to be fit and healthy. 16% of people are focused on losing weight and 13% of people are turning to exercise to feel good.
Mental health and stress relief is a big motivating factor for people with 8% turning to power walking or running to clear their head and 6% of those surveyed using it to manage stress. 37% stated that these forms of exercise help them to clear their mind more so than any other.
Among those that don’t power walk or run, one in three participate in other forms of exercise while 29% simply don’t like it. 26% of women are concerned that they are not able for it, 10% are turned off by not having a partner to go with and 8% just don’t like exercising outside.
7% of women said that they don’t go jogging or running as they don’t like how they look when they run, versus 2% of men.
Training in company
When it comes to training partners, it would appear that humour is the most sought after trait with 21% of people naming Graham Norton as the Irish person they would most like to exercise with. Katie Taylor and Niall Breslin were also popular choices on 20% and 15% respectively.
While most of us power walk or run alone (58%), females do enjoy some company from time to time with 18% bringing their pets out to exercise, 13% going with friends and 5% taking their child in a buggy.
The impact of digital on exercise
Most people (82%) do not follow a specific training programme when it comes to this form of exercise but for those who do, almost half (43%) follow a programme from a fitness app or website.
When it comes to tracking progress 30% do it on a training app or fitbit with just 9% relying on training diaries. However, the majority of Irish people (59%) do not track their fitness progress.
Although people like power walking or running alone, 59% choose company through a music device or radio. 67% listen to music they have downloaded, 32% tune in to the radio and 10% have specifically created exercise playlists.
The year ahead – 2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon
Looking to the year ahead, 31% of people are planning to participate in an organised running event in 2016.
The 2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is officially open for entries from Wednesday 17th February. Over 40,000 participants are expected to walk, jog or run the 10K route through Dublin city on Monday, 6th June 2016.
The Vhi Support Team including former international athlete and nutrition support David Gillick, personal trainer and fitness support Siobhan Byrne and Vhi’s Dr Ui May Tan will be on hand to support participants every step of the way with a combination of expert advice and fun tips on www.VhiWomensMiniMarathon.ie and on the Vhi WMM 2016 App.
Speaking at the launch, Brighid Smyth, Head of Corporate Communications, Vhi Healthcare commented; “Our research has shown that walking, jogging and running are hugely popular activities for Irish women who want to stay fit and healthy. The health benefits, both physical and mental, associated with running are unparalleled.
For the 31% of Irish women looking to take part in an organised event in 2016, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is a truly unique event which allows women to reach their fitness goals and raise money for their chosen charities.
Vhi Healthcare will be supporting participants every step with the Vhi Support Team and our weekly support and advice on the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon website and app.
We hope to encourage more people to dust off their runners, follow our Vhi training programmes and take a step in the right direction towards a healthier lifestyle and the 2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.”
Kathy Endersen, CEO of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon said; “The research carried out by Vhi Healthcare gives a great insight into the current fitness trends of Irish adults. With entries for the 2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon opening on 17th February, we are hoping that lots of those Irish women, who like to walk or run, will enter and join us for a fun filled day.
Over the years, the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon has enabled women to achieve great things both from a health and fitness point of view and also for their chosen charities. We look forward to seeing as many women as possible in Dublin on June 6th!”
Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon Entry Details
Women can enter the 2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon;
- By registering online at www.VhiWomensMiniMarathon.ie
- By post - application forms will be available in The Herald every Wednesday and Saturday
- By downloading the free Vhi WMM 2016 App available on itunes & Google Playstore
Entry will close as soon as the maximum number is reached so those interested in running are being urged to enter as early as possible to ensure they get to participate in this unique event.
For further information on the 2016 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon visit www.Vhiwomensminimarathon.ie or www.Facebook/vhiwomensminimarathon. Follow us on Twitter @VhiWmm or download the Vhi WMM 2016 app.
ENDS
Vhi_Press
16-Feb-2016