EALING has a proud tradition within the running community, especially due to the Ealing Half Marathon.

As part of a new initiative in towns across the country (and even internationally), Ealing now has a Running Mayor.

With climate action taking a more central role in our lives, people around the world have been looking for ways to encourage active travel.

Apart from the obvious ideas such as cycling and walking, another way is to run.

During the pandemic running has increased in popularity, as people have tried to find ways to stay fit while improving their mental health.

According to Sport England, one in five UK adults ran regularly during the first lockdown last year.

In order to capitalise on the increased popularity of running, RunSome has launched a new campaign revolving around Running Mayors.

Tom Kerry, Chair of Ealing Half Marathon, has been selected to represent our borough and champion the cause.

He told Nub News: "Running has been an important part in my life for the past 10-15 years or so.

"It helps me get fitter and healthier, I really enjoy it, I don't do it for the competition."

He is now tasked with encouraging more people to start running and use running as a form of active travel, instead of their car.

He added: "I'm excited to be our first Running Mayor and will be encouraging more people to make running part of their everyday lives, promoting running's positive benefits to health and wellbeing, as well as championing running as a means of active travel."

According to Sustrans, a quarter of a million people in the UK already run everyday journeys and RunSome wants to double that number within the next 12 months, while delivering a timely boost to mental and physical health.

That's why RunSome is urging the government to include running in its £2 billion active travel funding alongside walking and cycling.

Running is an efficient mode of urban transport – it's cheap, faster than walking and sometimes faster than driving when there's too much traffic.

It also has a low carbon footprint and aids our health, both physically and mentally.

A quarter of UK journeys being made are a mile or less, and over two-thirds of car trips in UK cities are under three miles, according to INRIX.

Cities and towns are adapting their streets in order to cater for an increase in running and cycling, with Ealing being an example through the implementation of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme.

If the UK's 11 million runners ran just one or two of their weekly journeys instead of driving, it is expected to make a massive change.

Running Mayors will make the case to city leaders that runners need to feature in their planning and design of places and services, especially in regards to active travel.

They will also work with other local stakeholders to champion topics that they care deeply about, such as improving safety for female runners, be that through better lighting, upgrading routes and pavements, or a buddying up scheme.

Tom, who lives in Hanwell said: "Sometimes it's difficult to get started when you're a new runner but having a buddy can really help.

"Neighbours and friends should try and encourage each other, in much the same way that the local community has come together during the pandemic.

"Having someone by your side, encouraging you to run is great and makes a real difference."

Five-time Olympian, Jo Pavey said: "I'm thrilled to be involved in the RunSome campaign and to support Running Mayors.

"Encouraging people to make some everyday trips in an active way is great for both health and wellbeing and the environment.

"During these difficult times for everyone, it is also even more important to promote the massive benefit that running can have on our mental health."

Runner's World UK, Editor-in-Chief, Andy Dixon, said: "Runner's World is proud to be part of the RunSome campaign and to get behind the world's first Running Mayors.

"We're passionate believers in the power of running to transform lives and by the seemingly simple act of running some short everyday trips more, we can make ourselves happier and healthier, benefit our towns and cities by reducing car use and help the environment – everybody wins."

Scott Chain, CEO of Active Things and co-founder of the RunSome campaign said: "To run is part of who we are.

"We just designed it out of our daily lives and now with COVID-19 and all the changes in how we live and move, it's time to design it back in again.

"Just think: if 11 million people who already run in the UK swapped the car for even just one or two short trips a week, we can make a big difference."

Tom is open to any ideas residents may have to promote and encourage running; the best way to contact him is through Instagram @runealing.