After a very successful programme in 2020 with over 30,000 students completing the programme, Athletics Ireland and the Irish Schools Athletic Association in conjunction with Sport Ireland and European Athletics are delighted to announce the return of the programme for November 2021 with an all new phone application for each students phone to track their progress.
We are currently looking for 80 secondary schools to take part in this project. iRunForFun is a school based recreational running initiative that will take place over an initial 6 week period beginning in autumn. Applications are operated on a first come basis and any applications after this will be accommodated in early 2022.
This is a programme aimed to increase activity levels of entire schools by encouraging engagement in recreational running in students of all levels of fitness. It also aims to give students an increased awareness of the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle.
Physical Education Department
Physical Education teachers will use this six week iRunForFun training programme to encourage students to complete the programme. There are three levels available to participants which cater for beginner, intermediate, and advanced runners.
iRunForFun App
Each participant will receive a specially designed ‘iRunForFun Application’ which will include training tips, nutritional advice, benefits of exercise, setting goals and other relevant items of interest. It will also provide students with a means whereby they can log and monitor their training progress.
School/Club Link
The school will be advised to link up with athletics clubs in the local area who will give advice to students during the running of the programme while also encouraging students, both elite and recreational, to become involved in their local club.
Benefits
Irish Schools Director, Anthony White said: “The iRunForFun Schools app for Post Primary Schools is the first of its kind across Ireland. This programme is designed to encourage students to embrace a healthy active lifestyle and enhance the lives of students who are willing to start physical activity with one of the most basic forms of exercise, (walking, running and jogging). Having your own personal online app that helps you set goals, monitor your progress, plan training programmes, read up on good nutrition and record your results is all small steps towards understanding the benefits of exercise”.
To apply to take part, please complete the application here: Application Form