Be ActiveThe Daily Mile15 minutes of physical activity for all

Quick, social, inclusive and suitable for practically any weather, The Daily Mile, is a regular 15 minutes of self-paced running or jogging in the fresh air for children, undertaken in schools worldwide, including here in the Bailiwick. Children can occasionally walk to catch their breath, if necessary, but the aim is to run or jog for the full 15 minutes.

It is now more than five years since Guernsey schools started doing The Daily Mile and it remains a very important and fun part of many primary schools’ day. Given the current concerns over health and wellbeing, especially as a response to COVID-19, it has never been more important that schools and the wider community continue to keep active, fit and healthy. The regular 15 minutes of activity that The Daily Mile brings is a perfect part of this.

The Guernsey Primary School Physical Activity Surveillance Study that we conducted in 2019/20 showed that 48% of Year 4 pupils and 40% of Year 6 pupils met the recommended guidelines of an average of 60 minutes moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. Adding a Daily Mile could provide an important dose of inclusive activity as well as social interaction. Recent research showed that The Daily Mile could be 'a cost-effective part of a  system-wide approach to childhood obesity prevention', especially for girls.

Locally, when surveyed in 2019, 91% of Primary pupils who participate in The Daily Mile believed that it was important to do it regularly and 98% agreed that it was good for their health. 

To start or expand The Daily Mile in your school, organisation or workplace please get in touch with Alun. 

The Daily Mile at Home

Looking for a way to stay active at home over half term? Why not try The Daily Mile at Home for the whole family? 

Anyone can take part in The Daily Mile at Home. It’s just 15 minutes of walking, jogging or running per day. It can be done anywhere; around the garden, on the beach or on the street, but please stick to the current exercise and social distancing guidelines. 

Check out the resources here and here for tips on how to do The Daily Mile at Home.