Why Is Everyone Suddenly Running? The UK's Fitness Boom Explained

What the Health

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Wednesday, 15 July 2026 - 55 minutes

This week we're asking why Britain has become a nation of runners, and whether it's really transforming our physical and mental health. First, host Claira Hermet is joined by model and dancer Scarlett Clarke to talk about living with Congenital Melanocytic Naevi (CMN), the rare skin condition she's been raising awareness of through her work with Caring Matters Now. Scarlett discusses growing up with CMN, the powerful Bare Your Birthmark campaign, seeing her photographs exhibited across London, and what it was like completing the London Landmarks Half Marathon. Later, former Team GB Olympian and 400m British record holder Iwan Thomas MBE joins Claira to discuss the UK's running boom, whether marathon fever has gone too far, the link between running and mental health, and his advice for anyone thinking about lacing up their trainers for the very first time.

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