Athletics · National
Exmouth’s Smiley Miley programme develops a weekly running community
The short social session creates space for participants to discuss wellbeing.
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Exmouth Running Club described the development of its Smiley Miley programme into a weekly community session. Founder Kevin Palmer introduced the initiative in 2024, inviting participants to walk, jog or run one mile at a conversational pace before the main club run.
The short format welcomes people with little running experience and creates an informal setting for discussion of mental health. Palmer said the sessions had attracted existing club runners and people outside the club, with several participants sharing experiences they had previously kept private.
A signposting sheet on the club’s RunTogether page directs participants towards professional support and other resources. Palmer intends to continue the regular sessions and organise additional community events with social activities, extending a programme built around manageable movement and the opportunity to form connections.
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