Admiral has successfully revived and reshaped its workplace running group, providing colleagues across locations and working models with an innovative, inclusive way to enhance their physical and mental health through social running.
Before the pandemic, Admiral’s workplace running group provided colleagues with a supportive, fitness-focused community to boost wellbeing and offer a break from their working day.
With the shift toward hybrid work and flexible schedules, Admiral recognised the need to adapt this initiative to support colleagues who no longer spend the entire week in the office.
Now, with multiple office locations as well as many remote-working colleagues, Admiral has re-launched its program to make it accessible and effective for all.
To build the foundation of this initiative, several colleagues completed the Leadership in Running Fitness qualification with Welsh Athletics. This certification equipped them with essential skills to lead others on their running journey and provided the confidence to guide beginners through a supportive running program. With this team of qualified leaders in place, Admiral launched a beginner-friendly Couch to 5k (C25k) programme that could accommodate all levels and locations.
To foster community and individual engagement, Admiral created three virtual support groups based on ability levels. Each group has around 20 participants and four leaders who provide guidance, encouragement, and tailored support, making the experience feel as close-knit as an in-person running group. This setup allows leaders to connect directly with members and motivate them with a personal touch that is often missed in remote interactions.
The value of exercise, social interaction, and a sense of belonging has helped participants work through some of the more challenging aspects, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved.
Peter Olivier, Admiral
After nine weeks of commitment, the groups completed their C25k journey last Thursday, marking the accomplishment with both virtual and in-person celebrations that included coffee, cake, and certificates for all participants. For many, it was a triumph of dedication and teamwork, with several employees joining remotely to celebrate their milestones.
Reflecting on the success of this program, Peter Olivier, who has driven the project for Admiral, shared his thoughts:
“We have managed to adapt a previously successful workplace running C25k programme to align with our new hybrid and remote working practices. With support from Welsh Athletics, we’ve helped over 30 colleagues across locations work together to complete the Couch to 5k programme and become runners.
The value of exercise, social interaction, and a sense of belonging has helped participants work through some of the more challenging aspects, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved. We now have a workable pattern for repeating this success and plan to run another course early next year.”
The program’s impact is already resonating across Admiral, and the team is excited to build on this foundation. With plans to expand and further develop their workplace running community, the goal is to make this initiative as inclusive as possible offering something for colleagues of all fitness and interest levels, creating more opportunities to promote wellbeing, connection, and fun within the organisation.
For more information about the ways in which Admiral support their colleagues, go to www.admiraljobs.co.uk.
Research shows that a workplace running group has multiple benefits for both the participants and the organisation, including:
- Increased productivity
- Greater staff retention
- Improved morale
- Lower rates of absence
- Fewer workplace injuries
Taking action to prevent ill health and promote healthy lifestyles is everyone’s responsibilities, but as an employer it makes good business sense to adopt a healthy workplace, and what better way to do so than through Run Wales? If you think that your organisation would like support to establish a workplace running group, we have resources available on our website.