People who walk for around 20 minutes a day could earn shopping vouchers and discounts, under NHS plans to get the nation moving. The health service’s “marathon in a month” challenge will offer incentives for Britons who hit the 26.2 mile target. It could be completed by walking for around 20 minutes daily for 30 days.
Participants will be able to log their walks online or through a phone or smartwatch to qualify for rewards. The scheme to tackle sedentary lifestyles is supported by Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster. He said: “I’m known for running, but the ambition here is far simpler. We just want people to walk. If someone walks 30 minutes five times a week, they could gain up to four extra years of healthy life.”
The Movement 26.2 campaign, expected to launch in January, will aim to sign up more than 100,000 people.
Sir Brendan added: “The WHO recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. We realised that adds up to roughly the distance of a marathon every month.
“It’s the marathon reimagined. You don’t have to travel anywhere, you don’t need special kit and there’s no entry fee. It starts from your own front door.
“We’re trying to create the biggest marathon in history, but one that’s open to absolutely everybody.”
The challenge will use an NHS Points Scheme modelled on popular shopping loyalty cards.
Sir Brendan said: “Our formula has always been: encourage, challenge, support and reward. Initially there’ll be digital rewards, like keeping a streak going for three months.
“Over time there’ll be other kinds of rewards — medals, T-shirts, but also discounts and rewards.”
Physical inactivity is associated with one in six UK deaths and is estimated to cost the NHS almost £1 billion.
But thanks to modern lifestyles, the population is thought to be around 20% less active now than it was in the 1960s. Around 34% of men and 42% of women are not active enough for good health.
Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, said the campaign would help make “movement part of everyday life again in a way that feels simple and achievable for everyone.”
He added: “By helping people build regular walking into their daily routines, we have a real opportunity to improve physical and mental wellbeing and help people live longer, healthier lives.”
