Cancer Research UK launches cycle lane for joggers
Following a recent poll conducted by the charity, Cancer Research UK launched a running lane along London’s South Bank last week, as part of a pilot scheme to benefit the city's runners. Carys Cross reports
The kilometre-long track is part of a plan that offers an obstacle-free solution to the issues faced by many runners, in which a quarter of 1,000 joggers surveyed found slow pedestrians and tourists a daily inconvenience. Health writer Jill Eckersley praised the scheme, applauding the safety value of such measures, commenting, ‘I feel that anything that enables running to be safer and more convenient has to be a good thing.’Lisa Jackson, co-author of Running Made Easy, believes the news to be ‘the best thing to happen to running in the capital since the launch of the London Marathon’, but calls for the employment of more lanes in order for the scheme to be successful. ‘Cyclists have had millions spent on them this year with the bike-loan scheme, so why can't us runners get a bit of red-carpet treatment, too?’This is not the first time demands have been made to accommodate speedier members of the public. Previously, plans were devised for the pavements of Oxford Street to be divided into a fast and slow lane, only to be scrapped before the scheme was put into practice.
Despite the experiment taking place for one day only between the hours of 8am and 6pm, many runners are hoping this is merely the beginning of a permanent arrangement to be expanded across the capital.TV presenter and keen runner Nell McAndrew, who helped launch the Run 10K lane along with 400m athlete Christine Ohuruogu, echoed such hopes. ‘I’m a fan of outdoor running as it's a fantastic way of keeping fit, but running in busy areas can be difficult at times. The Run 10K Running Lane is a great way to fully appreciate the benefits of running with great views, fresh air and a clear route so I can keep my pace.’
Many have also asked people to consider not only the convenient aspects of the lane, but the additional health benefits of a trouble-free running route. Natasha Dickinson from Cancer Research UK highlights the importance of the scheme in sending a crucial health message. ‘Each year it is estimated that as many as 1,500 deaths from cancer in the UK could be prevented if people kept more active.’However, not all running enthusiasts are in complete support of the campaign. Women's Running contributor Antonia Kanczula believes that while running as an option is both a safer and cheaper alternative to cycling, she has concerns about the introduction of designated lanes. ‘I applaud anything that encourages more people to don their trainers and hit the streets,' she says. However, I'm not sure I'm in total agreement about dedicated lanes. I'm really not sure our pavements can cope with the additional burden. Most pedestrians don't take any notice of bikes bearing down on them, so what are the chances they will keep off the runners' patch either?’
The launch was part of Cancer Research UK's series of Run 10K fundraising events, which take place this autumn nationwide. Visit their website www.run10k.org for further details, or check out the below video!
Despite the experiment taking place for one day only between the hours of 8am and 6pm, many runners are hoping this is merely the beginning of a permanent arrangement to be expanded across the capital.TV presenter and keen runner Nell McAndrew, who helped launch the Run 10K lane along with 400m athlete Christine Ohuruogu, echoed such hopes. ‘I’m a fan of outdoor running as it's a fantastic way of keeping fit, but running in busy areas can be difficult at times. The Run 10K Running Lane is a great way to fully appreciate the benefits of running with great views, fresh air and a clear route so I can keep my pace.’
Many have also asked people to consider not only the convenient aspects of the lane, but the additional health benefits of a trouble-free running route. Natasha Dickinson from Cancer Research UK highlights the importance of the scheme in sending a crucial health message. ‘Each year it is estimated that as many as 1,500 deaths from cancer in the UK could be prevented if people kept more active.’However, not all running enthusiasts are in complete support of the campaign. Women's Running contributor Antonia Kanczula believes that while running as an option is both a safer and cheaper alternative to cycling, she has concerns about the introduction of designated lanes. ‘I applaud anything that encourages more people to don their trainers and hit the streets,' she says. However, I'm not sure I'm in total agreement about dedicated lanes. I'm really not sure our pavements can cope with the additional burden. Most pedestrians don't take any notice of bikes bearing down on them, so what are the chances they will keep off the runners' patch either?’The launch was part of Cancer Research UK's series of Run 10K fundraising events, which take place this autumn nationwide. Visit their website www.run10k.org for further details, or check out the below video!
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The first ever cycle lane for London runners!
