Heart Hero 5k park run event helps increase physical activity
THE Irish Heart Foundation will be holding a number of Heart Hero 5k park run events in parks around the county on Saturday, September 28, in a bid to encourage people to increase their physical activity in order to improve their heart health, following on from its new campaign.
The charity launched its month-long heart health campaign on Tuesday, titled Escape Your Chair, which this year focuses on the negative effect that a sedentary lifestyle can have on your heart, and they’re aiming to get more people away from their chairs, and get them walking and running instead.
Dr Ciara Kelly
Tara Curran, Slí na Sláinte coordinator with the Irish Heart Foundation, said: “80 per cent of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable and, as physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, we are encouraging the people of Dublin and nearby to make some small changes to incorporate more physical activity into their day.
“It is recommended that we get 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity at least five days of the week, but this does not cancel out the damage caused to our health by sitting for long periods of time.
“According to the latest Irish Sports Monitor (2017), 13 per cent of Irish adults are sedentary.”
The charity has put up a number of instructional videos on its website to help people get to grips with exercising, and they also have a free Couch to 5k programme on their site.
All of these materials can be accessed at www.escapeyourchair.ie.
At the launch of the Irish Heart Foundation’s September Heart Month campaign, Escape Your Chair, are Nicola Murphy (Health Promotion Co-ordinator, Irish Heart Foundation), Marese Damery (Health Check Manager, Irish Heart Foundation), Dr Ciara Kelly (GP, columnist and Newstalk radio broadcaster) and Tara Curran (Slí na Sláinte Coordinator, Irish Heart Foundation)
The Escape Your Chair campaign will culminate in a series of 5k park runs, which people can walk, jog or run in, on September 28 at 9.30am.
The Irish Heart Foundation’s Heart Hero 5ks will be held in Tymon Park in Tallaght, Corkagh Park in Clondalkin, Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, Griffeen Park in Lucan, Waterstown Park in Palmerstown, Brickfields Park in Drimnagh and Bushy Park in Terenure.
Participants can register online at www.escapeyourchair.ie with a donation of €20, and they will receive a tee-shirt to wear during the Heart Hero 5k, as well as training plans, details on finding their nearest parkrun location and how to register at parkrun.ie
