MAYOR ANNOUNCES CELEBRATION OF WALKING TAKING PLACE IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE THIS SEPTEMBER

Published 23 August 2024 at 9:58am

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has announced a celebration of walking taking place in the region this September.

SouthYorksWalks, which is taking place between Friday 13 September and Sunday 15 September, is all about getting out for an enjoyable walk, even if only for a short distance.

Part of the Mayor’s Year of Active Travel, SouthYorksWalks is a chance to move more and move differently and to experience the joy of walking towards a healthier, happier South Yorkshire.

We want to hear about what you enjoy most on your walk, using the hashtag #SouthYorksWalks. 

Whether you’re on an organised walk or walking the dog locally, exploring somewhere new on foot with family and friends, making your way to work, or popping to the shop….. Wherever it is you walk, we want to hear about it.

Over the three days we’re encouraging people across South Yorkshire to experience a little more of the pleasure that walking and wheeling (using wheelchairs and mobility scooters) can bring and to think about making a few more local trips.

It’s not a competition, there’s no race involved, the prize is the buzz you get from a great walk.

Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “Building a healthier, wealthier and happier South Yorkshire is central to my ambition as South Yorkshire’s Mayor.

“That’s what my Year of Active Travel is all about – creating more opportunities for us all to move more and move differently.

“Walking and wheeling is an easy, enjoyable way to live healthier. Even short walks can contribute to better mental health, improved physical fitness or just an appreciation of our beautiful landscapes and places.

“SouthYorksWalks is all about encouraging people to get out to enjoy walking and wheeling, while helping our communities to explore the best that South Yorkshire has to offer.”

Over the weekend people can get involved and share their experiences with us by posting tales and pictures of your walks on social media, using the hashtag #SouthYorksWalks.

We’re not asking anyone to throw their boots in the back of the car and go hike up a mountain, just to spend a little more time over those three days walking locally and enjoying where they live and experiencing the joy that walking brings.

Ed Clancy, triple Olympic Champion and South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner said: “We’d really love everyone to fit a local walk into their weekend, over the 13 to 15 September. It might be a leisurely stroll while you’re listening to that podcast you never get a chance to catch up with, scooting on the school run or joining a local group for an organised walk.

“Walking regularly costs nothing, can start on your doorstep and, for just 30 minutes a day, will increase your cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, and boost muscle. Plus, regular walking can reduce your risk of depression by a third, and releases endorphins that increases your energy levels, capability to concentrate and even improves your sleep patterns.

“With so many reasons to add walking to your weekend, we hope you join us out there.”

Find out more information about SouthYorksWalks.