Entries are open for the 2022 Vitality Westminster Mile – the most iconic mass participation mile event anywhere in the world – which returns to central London on Sunday 1 May after more than 1,000 days. Vitality Westminster Mile, staged in partnership with Westminster City Council, was launched by London Marathon Events in May 2013 but has not been held in central London since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The event is a family-friendly celebration of activity for all ages and abilities, with a series of mile events held throughout the day on an incredible course that starts on The Mall, goes around St James’s Park, and finishes in spectacular fashion in front of Buckingham Palace. 

Entry is free for children aged 11 and under, £8 for adults (18 and over) and £6 for 12 to 17-year-olds (with a £1 reduction for Westminster residents). Every finisher regardless of age gets a timed result and a fantastic souvenir medal. In addition to the packed programme of races, the free Vitality Wellness Festival will take place in Green Park featuring a range of free family-friendly “come and try it” activities. 

The defending British Mile champions from May 2019 are Chris O'Hare (Edinburgh AC, 4:01) and Melissa Courtney (Poole AC, 4:31) – pictured above. Some 9,198 people ran in over 30 waves in 2019 and you can relive the atmosphere through our event report here 

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Vitality Westminster Mile, said: “We're very excited to be bringing the Vitality Westminster Mile back to its iconic central London route. It is a truly inspirational event that offers people of all ages and abilities the chance to run, jog or walk a mile in one of the world’s most famous locations. 

"Events like the Vitality Westminster Mile are more important now than ever before. We know the pandemic has had a damaging effect on physical activity levels with children particularly impacted. One in four children aged 10 or 11 is now classified as obese which is up from one in five just before the start of the pandemic. The long-term health implications of this are huge, so we need events like the Vitality Westminster Mile to reverse this trend and to inspire the next generation to be physically active.” 

Coreen Brown, Head of Sport, Leisure & Active Communities at Westminster City Council, added: “I'm delighted that the Vitality Westminster Mile is returning. The iconic route provides a great day out for all. We look forward to welcoming Westminster communities and visitors to a day of fun, laughter, and activity.”

Entry details are available here and you can read previous reports at runABC South here

Image courtesy Vitality Westminster Mile on Facebook