The Vitality London 10,000 is encouraging people to get moving for their mental health in 2023.

The hugely popular 10K, taking place on Sunday 24 September, will welcome thousands to complete the distance on a spectacular course through central London, taking in some of the capital’s most famous landmarks.

This year’s campaign, #DoItForYou, aims to encourage people to get active to support their mental health and wellbeing. The well-established mental health benefits of activity include improving self-esteem, stimulating chemical changes in the brain to boost mood, improving sleep and managing stress and anxiety.

In a recent survey, London Marathon Events (LME) reached out to Vitality London 10,000 participants to understand their motivations for running. Findings revealed that:

• 92 per cent of respondents said that running was important or very important to their mental health and wellbeing
• 90 per cent of respondents said that the mental benefits of running were equally important or more important than the physical benefits

Event organisers are offering a Run Happy and Healthy 10 Weeks to 10K training plan to help participants run, jog or walk the distance in September to support their mental health and wellbeing as part of the #DoItForYou campaign.

This year’s Vitality London 10,000 takes place just two weeks before World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10 October. The course is fast and flat and passes some of London’s most famous landmarks including Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben before its stunning finish near Buckingham Palace.

For those unable to travel to central London for the event, there’s also the option to take on the virtual Vitality London 10,000. This challenge can be completed anywhere, anytime between Saturday 16 and Sunday 24 September and every finisher will receive the same medal and official T-shirt.

This year sees the introduction of the Run to Overcome wave, in association with Mental Health Mates. The final wave of the day, participants can run, jog, or walk with the inspirational team at Mental Health Mates, the primary objectives being to have fun and to feel the many benefits of being active for your mental health in line with #DoItForYou. The Run to Overcome wave, in association with Mental Health Mates, will be open for entries shortly.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Vitality London 10,000, said: “Getting active is so important for our mental health and wellbeing in addition to all the physical health benefits that it brings. We hope that thousands will get behind our #DoItForYou campaign and take on the Vitality London 10,000 either on the spectacular central London course or join us virtually, wherever they may be.”

Entries are now open for the Vitality London 10,000 on Sunday 24 September, costing £49, and for the virtual Vitality London 10,000, costing £19 – so be sure to secure your place today!

Entries are also open for the 2023 Vitality Westminster Mile, which is held on Saturday 23 September. The family-friendly series of one-mile events will see people of all ages and abilities run, jog, walk, wheel or be pushed around the world-famous, one-mile route of St James’s Park.

Entry costs £10 for adults (over 18 on event day), £7 for participants aged 12-17 and entry is free of charge for children aged 11 and under.

Every finisher receives a fantastic souvenir medal and a timed result. To enter the Vitality Westminster Mile, either as an adult or as part of a group with family and/or friends, please click here. The Junior Wave can be entered by clicking here.