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Canal runners offered retail therapy in Milton Keynes

The Trust has teamed up with Bounts, the fitness app, to reward local people who exercise along the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes with vouchers for a variety of national high street shops including John Lewis, M&S and Starbucks.

Running along the Grand Union Canal

The app works by allowing people exercising along a 5km stretch of the canal in Milton Keynes (from Bridge 84 (Springfield) to Bridge 80 close to Willen Park) to earn extra points that can then be exchanged for vouchers to spend in their favourite shops. The vouchers can be spent on anything from cinema tickets to clothing or even a cup of tea or coffee.

To encourage local people to start exercising along the canal, the Trust, working in partnership with Sport England, the players of the People's Postcode Lottery and Milton Keynes based running club, Redway Runners, is organising a regular lunchtime canal run. The new weekly event will take place every Thursday lunchtime from 12:15pm – 1pm is aimed at runners at beginner and intermediate levels.

Joe Sammon, from the Trust, said: "The hardest part about running is getting started. With these lunchtime running sessions I'm hoping those new to running or those who just want to improve come along and give exercising along the canal a go.

"Now we're working with Bounts, people who sign up to the app, can get rewarded for every run or jog they do on the canal so hopefully this will incentivise anyone wanting to get active. Now every time you're out on the Grand Union Canal you can be thinking about the treat you are going to get yourself with every step you take."

The meeting point for the lunchtime runs is alongside the canal at Campbell Park, MK9 4AD.

Last Edited: 19 September 2016

photo of a location on the canals
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