Masses of runners will run through Wembley taking in the iconic views and marginalised communities of northwest London to take part in Run the Ends – a 5k community running event to promote the diversity and inclusivity of exercise.
On Saturday 14 October, Brent community group The NOV Way will lead Run the Ends 2023 with other diverse running communities in London, starting from Wembley Park’s Quintain Living, through Chalkhill Estate, before finishing in front of Wembley Stadium.
The event, which is delivered in partnership with London Marathon Events, is for people of all abilities and backgrounds, with the objective of encouraging participation in running, particularly among those from under-served and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The run comes four days after World Mental Health Day, which was celebrated on Tuesday 10 October.
Recent statistics show that people from ethnic minority communities make up 11 per cent of the recreational running community. The latest figures from Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey, released this year, showed that those from lower socio-economic groups are the least likely to be active and were the most impacted by the pandemic.
As well as Run the Ends, The NOV Way initiatives include NOV Run Club which are working to change these trends. Founded and led by Lecturer in Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning coach Leon Parkes, the community has grown to more than 250 members in two years.
Leon Parkes, Founder of The Nov Way CIC, said: “Since 2019, the growth of running communities in the capital has been incredible. There is now a growing demand for more diverse running communities, however some communities are still marginalised and neglected. Our ambition is for Run the Ends to inspire more than 10,000 people to participate in a mass participation event through the heart of London's second most culturally diverse borough by 2030, to raise awareness of the diverse running movement and support in improving the health of our communities.”
Hamid Vaghefian, Head of Community Engagement at London Marathon Events, said: “It is so important that people from all backgrounds and social groups feel they belong in society. Clearly, work needs to be done to increase participation among certain groups, and Run the Ends is a great initiative to get those from all corners of London, and further afield, out and running through the communities that have shaped them.”
“London Marathon Events is committed to promoting community events, in the hope they grow to be unmissable fixtures on the calendar. Run The Ends can inspire the next generation of runners and give hope to all that sport and activity is not reserved for the few, but for all.”
Run The Ends 2023 starts at 10:00 and concludes at 16:00 at BOXPARK, Wembley. The 5km run will be followed by food and festivities, including a brief documentary about diverse running, before ending with a celebration of the sounds of culture.
In addition to London Marathon Events, Run the Ends is supported by a number of other partners including Quintain Living and Sports Direct.