NHS launches walking challenge with rewards for daily exercise

NHS England announced a new walking scheme on 3 July, offering rewards to people who walk for 30 minutes every day. The programme, called "Marathon a Month," will begin in early 2025. Anyone who walks daily will cover roughly 26 miles over the course of a month, which equals a full marathon distance.

Participants can record their walks using a smartphone, smartwatch, or online platform. Those who complete their daily walks will earn shopping discounts, vouchers, and digital rewards such as badges and streaks. The NHS hopes to attract more than 100,000 people to join.

Health officials say that walking 30 minutes five times a week could add up to four extra years of healthy life. Around 12 million adults in the UK are currently considered physically inactive. Full details about the voucher rewards will be published later this year.