The NHS is planning a “marathon a month” initiative that rewards people for walking as part of efforts to improve public health and increase physical activity. Multiple outlets report the scheme will launch early next year, with at least one source saying it is expected to start in January. The program is designed to get people walking regularly and to encourage consistent activity over time.
Details reported across sources focus on daily walking goals. One outlet says the target is 20 minutes of walking per day in order to receive vouchers, while another reports a 30-minute daily target. Both accounts describe the scheme as using the idea that sustained walking can add up to the equivalent of a marathon over the course of a month.
The BBC also reports that the initiative has been developed with former Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster. The sources agree on the general structure—an NHS-backed walking programme using rewards—and on the intended timing, but differ on the specific daily duration requirement. No further information on the value or administration of vouchers is included in the provided excerpts.
