Make a resolution to run Anglesey this New Year, and cut your stroke risk

The charity has launched a series of runs across the UK in 2019, including a 5K run in Bute Park, Cardiff on 10th March and a 5K or 10K run in Anglesey’s Newborough Forest on 24th March.

Research carried out by Professor Tom Robinson, President of the British Association of Stroke Physicians, highlighted research⁽ⁱ⁾ that showed moderate (walking) to intense (jogging, cycling) physical activity can significantly reduce your stroke risk. Importantly, activities should make you break into a sweat to qualify as (moderate to intense) physical activity.

The charity’s Resolution Run campaign is a series of 5K, 10K or 15K events where participants can choose one of the distances while raising vital funds for the Stroke Association, all while also improving their health and reducing their risk of stroke.

Professor Robinson said: “You don’t have to be an athlete to reduce your stroke risk, we can all do it as part of our daily routine. Simply taking part in at least 30 minutes of activity, which helps you break a sweat about three to four times a week will help. Remember, the more you do, the more you can reduce your risk.”

Professor Robinson also advises that being committed and having a training plan, are key to achieving your goal. He continues: “The preparation for and taking part in a Resolution Run could reduce your stroke risk. However, it is equally important to remember that you need to maintain this level of exercise to keep your stroke risk low. If you start small, training in short bursts and build up you are more likely to succeed and keep going in the long term too.”

Carol Bott, Director of the Stroke Association in Wales will take part in the Cardiff Resolution Run in March. Carol said: “Every five minutes across the UK, someone’s life is turned upside down by stroke but we can all take part in exercise that helps to reduce our risk. A Resolution Run is an ideal event for families and friends who want to do something fun together while getting more active in 2019. By signing up to a Resolution Run in Wales each runner will not only reduce their stroke risk, they will also help ensure that we can continue to support stroke survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives.”

Physical activity is just one aspect of a healthy lifestyle that is required to reduce your risk of stroke. We should all avoid gaining excess body weight, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and an unhealthy diet too.

The Stroke Association has been working with Professor Robinson to produce guidance to help you get started at https://www.resolutionrun.org.uk/.

Entry fee is just £16. All runners receive a technical running t-shirt and medal. To enter or for more information on Resolution Runs in Wales visit www.resolutionrun.org.uk email resolution@stroke.org.uk or call 0300 330 0740. The money raised through your Resolution Run will help the Stroke Association to fund vital research and support people affected by stroke across the UK.

If you have any pre-existing health conditions or other concerns, it’s important to contact your GP before you begin training. 

• (i)Research taken from Prior PL, Suskin N. Exercise for stroke prevention. Stroke and Vascular Neurology 2018;3: e000155. doi:10.1136/ svn-2018-000155