The Vitality Running World Cup is off the starting blocks

• Entries are now open for the free-to-enter, global event with competing runs from 5 March 2020
• Anyone over 13 years old, at any fitness level, may participate to represent South Africa
• Every participant receives a $100 digital goodie bag to celebrate their first qualifying run

Discovery Vitality today announced that registration is open for the Vitality Running World Cup, the major global sponsorship that enables anyone to run for their country.

Dinesh Govender, Discovery Vitality CEO, says: “This is Vitality’s first global initiative to help encourage 100 million people to get 20% more active by 2025 and builds on our successful interventions over many years in encouraging physical activity. I’m personally excited about getting all South Africans moving more.”

The annual, free-to-enter, knockout running competition gives both active and inactive people the opportunity to Move More. Taking place in 180 countries, from 5 March to 5 April 2020, the Vitality Running World Cup will allow countries to compete against each other for top spot. The country with the greatest distance covered relative to their population wins.

Every participant who completes at least three kilometres in under 30 minutes, anywhere in SA, and tracks their kilometres via an approved smartphone app or fitness device, will be able to contribute towards their country’s total. Participation is free by signing up at www.runningworldcup.com.

They will be supported by country captains – eight-time gold medallist and global ambassador Usain Bolt for Jamaica, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill for the UK, and Rio 2016 champion and Discovery Vitality ambassador Wayde van Niekerk for South Africa.

Van Niekerk says, “I’m excited to be captaining South Africa for the Vitality Running World Cup, and to have the opportunity to encourage all South Africans to run with me, for our country. The competition gives everyone, regardless of their level of running, the chance to get moving. Together, we can make SA fitter and healthier. Good luck to all the runners and their countries!”

Vitality’s aim: to get people moving 20% more

As the world’s largest behaviour-change platform linked to insurance, Vitality has a history of using incentives and partnerships to influence and positively change people’s behaviour, in particular around physical activity.

“Vitality has a strong track record of encouraging members to make running part of their physical activity routine, towards good health outcomes. Along with Team Vitality, parkrun, MyRun, and the opportunity for members to continuously improve their physical activity goals through Vitality Active Rewards, we hope that more people will find joy in running through the Vitality Running World Cup,” says Govender.

Participants do not need to be Vitality members or Discovery clients, signing up is free and the event is open to everyone. Every participant will receive a digital goodie bag valued at $100 after their first qualifying run. Plus, they will stand a chance to win amazing weekly prizes as well as a grand prize.

Nick Beresford, founder of the Running World Cup in 2018, commented: “We are thrilled to work with Vitality – their passion and vision for getting more people moving is the exact reason why this competition exists. The Vitality Running World Cup gives everyone a chance to take pride in where they are from and represent their country whilst encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle. No matter your running ability, every kilometre will increase your country's chance of winning. We hope to inspire the next generation of runners and get over 1 million people participating.”

Country captain for Jamaica, Usain Bolt commented: “Nothing made me prouder in my career than running for my country – and this event is giving everyone the chance to do the same, no matter their level. I hope by being part of this and leading my country, I can help inspire people across the world to get involved. Good luck to all the countries taking part – especially Jamaica!”

How to enter:

Participating in the competition is simple; individuals can join for free via www.runningworldcup.com or download the runningworldcup app and every qualifying run tracked using a linked smartphone app or fitness device contributes towards their country’s total. As the weeks go by, countries with the highest number of kilometres run relative to their country size and smartphone penetration will progress to the knockout stages. There are amazing prizes ranging from weekly prizes to a grand prize if you take part – more details to come soon.

To find out more about the Vitality Running World Cup and register visit:
www.runningworldcup.com