Inverness runners to help mental health cause

Inverness Half Marathon looks set to benefit from a growing trend to get mentally fit.

Taking place on March 8, it has seen a 74 per cent increase in entries between 2011 and 2019. The event also includes a 5K, in which entries have increased by a third in the same period.

In recent years, motivators for running have moved from being achievement-based to psychological, according to The State of Running 2019 report produced by RunRepeat.com and the IAAF.

Reflecting this motivation shift, Inverness Half Marathon has selected SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) as one of its official charity partners, alongside Alzheimer Scotland, the Archie Foundation, Highland Hospice and Marie Curie.

Islay Rackham, community fundraiser at SAMH, said: “We’re delighted to be an official charity partner for the Inverness Half Marathon in 2020, and hope to see lots of people signing up as part of Team SAMH. Your fundraising will help us to raise awareness, promote good mental health, and support people in Scotland affected by mental health problems.”

Malcolm Sutherland, director of Inverness Half Marathon, said: “Whether running helps people to get mentally fit or they are doing the half marathon for other reasons, the course is an ideal way to get set up for the year. Not only are many participants supporting charities such as SAMH but it is the perfect spring-time challenge as they work towards other races.”

Entry for the half marathon and 5k closes on February 18, subject to race capacity.

For entry information, visit www.invernesshalfmarathon.co.uk

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