NHS launches walking challenge offering rewards for daily exercise

NHS England will launch a new walking programme in early 2025, offering rewards to people who walk roughly 30 minutes every day. The scheme, called "Marathon a Month," encourages participants to build up around 26 miles of walking over each month, which equals the distance of a marathon.

People can record their walks using a smartphone, smartwatch, or an online system. Those who complete the challenge become eligible for vouchers and discounts. Sponsors and companies, not the NHS, will cover the cost of these rewards.

Former Olympic athlete Sir Brendan Foster helped design the campaign, which hopes to attract more than 100,000 participants. Health officials say that regular walking could add up to four extra years of healthy life, and physical inactivity currently contributes to one in six deaths across the UK.