Step it out on National Walking Day, September 27

Get Ireland Walking is calling on people across the country to join its National Walking Day 2020 on 27 September. This is your chance to celebrate walking as part of European Week of Sport.

Sport Ireland’s ongoing Covid19 research has shown that an additional 500,000 people were out walking during the crisis. Additional research has shown that the numbers of adults walking for recreation has increased to 3.1 million regular walkers.

#WalkyourArea

“Five months into our new normal, we can all agree that one of the most important tools for all of us to sustain and facilitate living in a pandemic, has been walking,” said Jason King, Get Ireland Walking’s programme manager. “We’re asking people to explore the #HiddenGems in their community and #WalkyourArea”.

Want to find more walks in Wexford?

National Walking Day allows everyone to walk within their own community at a time and place that suits you. Local Sports Partnerships will also provide advice on where to walk in your area. You will be able to use Coillte amenities, Waterways Ireland’s waterways and blueways, Sport Ireland’s outdoor trails and National Parks across Ireland.

ballyfad woods coillte wexford — You can do your walk in any Coillte amenity!

“What is really encouraging the number of young people taking part in recreational walking,” said John Treacy, chief executive of Sport Ireland. In the 15-24 age group, “participation has jumped from 51% to 89% throughout the restrictions. National Walking Day is a fantastic initiative, and I encourage everyone, no matter your age or ability, to get out and be active on September 27.”

How to Participate

Simply visit www.getirelandwalking.ie/nationalwalkingday2020

Celebrate and share

Share a photo or video of your walk on social media. Tag @GetIreWalking on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and your Local Sports Partnership. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #BeActive #NationalWalkingDay #WalkYourTown #WalkYourArea and #HiddenGems.

Get Ireland Walking is supported by Healthy Ireland and Sport Ireland and hosted by Mountaineering Ireland.

Welcoming the launch of this event, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Frank Feighan T.D. said: “As a nation, we are all consciously aware of the great difficulties which our country is facing at the moment due to outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic. This prolonged period of national emergency has at times often had a negative impact on our overall wellbeing.

Discover some coastal walks

“During this time, walking has been one of the simplest yet beneficial exercises that thankfully has remained available to us. Sometimes, in life, it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference. Our research has shown that people have been deriving great benefit from walking during this time.

“As a result, I am encouraging people of all ages and fitness levels to continue with the great strides they’ve been making towards a Healthier Ireland.”