1000 schools now signed up to The Daily Mile

• 77% of teachers say The Daily Mile has positive impact on attentiveness and concentrations levels of children

The Daily Mile has reached a milestone, and the 1000th school has signed up for it this week.

The idea has seen rapid growth since its introduction in Ireland in 2018, and Frank Greally, Athletics Ireland ambassador for The Daily Mile, is delighted.

“It’s been a great journey to date on The Daily Mile Beat. It continues to make a difference and it is hugely uplifting to see that it has been embraced now by a thousand primary schools countrywide.

“We have received great feedback from principals, teachers, parents and children who all recognise the value The Daily Mile brings to a school.

“We have been greatly helped too on our mission by all the Local Sports Partnerships. The promotion of The Daily Mile continues to be a team effort at Athletics Ireland and it’s lovely to be part of a winning team.”

The Daily Mile is supported by INEOS, Irish Life Health, Healthy Ireland, Tomar Trust and Local Sports Partnerships; it encourages children to run for 15 minutes every day.

Children had been encouraged to take part in ‘The Daily Mile at Home’ during the summer months, but a return to school has meant another fantastic uptake, and the 1000-school milestone.

Research released by The Daily Mile earlier this year found that teachers see it as an essential part of the school day. Three quarters of primary school teachers say it has a positive impact on the attentiveness and concentration levels of children throughout the school day.

Not only do teachers see the positive impact it has on children’s in-class performance, but r

Research from ‘The Daily Mile Foundation’ has shown the physical and mental health benefits attributed to running for 15 minutes each day;

• It improves bone health and muscle strength in children.

• It helps reduce anxiety and increases confidence.

• It enhances fitness and improves heart health.

• It reduces body fat and promotes healthy body composition

• It supports self-esteem and happiness.

The Daily Mile Team has a vision of having The Daily Mile as part of everyday school life for every pupil in the country.

Programme co-ordinator Valerie O’Brien said; “It’s fantastic to see The Daily Mile reach 1,000 schools in Ireland – it has been a massive team effort by all involved.

“It is going from strength to strength and hopefully The Daily Mile will become a regular feature in all primary schools.”

A principle of The Daily Mile is that it remains free and fully accessible to any child who would like to take part, and that is something that hasn’t changed even in light of ongoing restrictions in some parts of the country.