Celebrate You applies to both the mass and virtual Vitality London 10,000, as both events give our participants the chance to celebrate the many mental health benefits of being active. The 10K events also give us an opportunity to celebrate our participants’ amazing achievements – whoever they are and wherever they live. 

Our participant stories 

It’s all very well us listing the benefits of being active, but it’s even better to hear about them from people who’ve been there, done that and got the (Vitality London 10,000 finisher’s) T-shirt! 

That’s why the Celebrate You message is supported by our team of inspiring celebrities and influencers – as well as everyday runners, walkers and joggers – who’ve found that taking on the Vitality London 10,000 has transformed their lives in all sorts of ways. Read what previous participants have had to say about their experiences below. 

The Celebrate You campaign was created by Mental Health Mates founder Bryony Gordon, mental health advocate Jada Sezer and London Marathon Events in 2019 to encourage women to get active and celebrate body positivity.

Since the pandemic hit, the focus moved to promoting the mental and physical health benefits of being active and Celebrate You now works to inspire people of all ages and abilities to 'run for your head as well as your heart'.

This year, Bryony will take on a challenge like no other: completing a 10K on 10 successive days in the lead-up to the Vitality London 10,000 – culminating in the Celebrate You wave at the event on Bank Holiday Monday 2 May – to raise money to support Mental Health Mates.

Mental Health Mates is a broad and trusted peer support network for people experiencing mental health challenges that can be accessed both online and in real life. Mental Health Mates also organises walking groups across the UK, providing a safe space for people to get active in a positive, supportive environment.

Bryony, journalist, bestselling author and campaigner, says: "I set up Mental Health Mates when I was really suffering with my own mental health. My obsessive-compulsive disorder was terrible; I was depressed and in the grip of alcoholism.

"I knew that there were other people out there like me, I just didn't know how to meet them. So, I created this peer support group that allows people to walk and talk together without fear or judgement and connect with each other.

"I'm incredibly proud of the extraordinary community it has become today, and I only hope that we continue to grow, thrive and reach as many people who need this sort of help as possible."

Visit Mental Health Mates to find out more!