The Daily Mile - Athletics Ireland

About the Programme

The Daily Mile is a teacher-led, schools-based programme that aims to improve the physical, social, emotional, and mental health and wellbeing of our children – regardless of age, ability, or personal circumstances.

Who is the programme aimed at?

Pre-Primary and Primary School aged children (4 to 13yrs),

How long does it take?

It takes 15 minutes, with most children averaging a mile, or more, each day.  The Daily Mile should happen during school time, at least three times a week.

How is it delivered?

The children are encouraged by their class teacher to run and jog at their own pace.  Schools normally use their existing playground, as all-weather surfaces such as tarmac are ideal.

Find out more:

Email                            valerie@thedailymile.ie

Website                        https://thedailymile.ie/

Facebook                     https://www.facebook.com/thedailymile.ie/

Instagram                    https://www.instagram.com/thedailymile_ire/?hl=en

School Sign-Up          https://thedailymile.ie/school-signup/

About The Daily Mile

The Daily Mile is simple and free and gets children out of the classroom for fifteen minutes every day to run or jog, at their own pace, with their classmates. Making them fitter, healthier, and more able to concentrate in the classroom.

Catherina McKiernan - The Daily Mile

Core Principles

The Daily Mile is easy to implement and fun to do. All children enjoy it and participate happily. Read founder Elaine’s top ten essentials for successfully implementing The Daily Mile in any school setting.

Public Health doctors are telling us how important physical activity is especially for children, when good habits around regular exercise can be formed for the future. The Daily Mile is your opportunity to be active every day and I really hope you enjoy it. Your parents and your teachers help you in so many ways everyday preparing for school and learning during the day. I am sure, they too, will join me in saying make The Daily Mile a part of your school day.

Jack Chambers TD
Former Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs & Sport

A lot of time in school is spent indoors and sitting down so the chance to go outside every day for just 15 minutes and run a mile is sure to boost the mental and physical health of children throughout Ireland. I strongly recommend that all schools, teachers and students grasp this opportunity and make The Daily Mile work in your school.

Sonia O'Sullivan
Olympic 5,000m Silver Medallist, European & World Champion and Irish women’s mile record holder (Oslo 1994)

Sport Ireland is delighted to support The Daily Mile through the Local Sports Partnership network. The Daily Mile is an excellent example of collaboration between a National Governing Body for Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships at a local level, and I am heartened that over 1250 schools have already embraced this wonderful initiative. I look forward to the continued roll-out of the initiative across the country in the months ahead.

John Treacy
Olympic Marathon Silver Medalist & Double World Cross Country Champion 1978/79

The Daily Mile is a brilliantly simple idea. I love it. Since talking to the principal of the primary school who started this in the UK I've been telling anyone who'd listen about The Daily Mile. It'd be great to think that this would be done in every primary school in Ireland. Good luck to everybody involved and remember you'll never regret going for a run.

Ray D'Arcy
Irish television & radio presenter
Catherina McKiernan - The Daily Mile

I’m delighted that The Daily Mile will soon be up and running in Primary Schools all around Ireland. It is important that all schools around the country take part in this fantastic initiative as it will educate children the importance of keeping fit and healthy from a young age.

Catherina McKiernan
Olympian, 1998 London marathon winner and 1994 European Cross-Country Champion

As a primary school teacher I have first-hand experience of the outstanding benefits that this initiative can bring to a school, enhancing the physical health and overall wellbeing of participating students, while simultaneously impacting positively on learning and academic achievement in the classroom. I would love for other schools to similarly benefit from this outstanding initiative.

Seán Hehir
Primary school teacher and twice Irish National Marathon Champion & International Athlete

I am thrilled to see Athletics Ireland leading the way on The Daily Mile Primary School initiative that will be a sure winner nationwide. The idea that Primary School children will complete a mile every day during the school terms is something that I am happy to support and endorse. My heartiest congratulations to all involved in the project.

Dr Ronnie Delany
Olympic 1500m Champion, Melbourne, 1956

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