The Daily Mile is a simple but ground-breaking initiative, encouraging primary school teachers to take children outside to walk or run for 15 minutes each day. The aim of the Daily Mile is to improve the physical, emotional, social health & well-being of children in Ireland and around the world – regardless of age or personal circumstances, to create healthy habits for life.
- Frank Greally, Ambassador for the Daily Mile in Ireland
The Idea
The Daily Mile is a social physical activity, with children running or jogging – at their own pace – in the fresh air with friends. Children can occasionally walk to catch their breath, if necessary, but should aim to run or jog for the full 15 minutes.
We want every child to have the opportunity to do The Daily Mile at Primary School, and are now working to...
The Daily Mile is a social physical activity, with children running or jogging – at their own pace – in the fresh air with friends. Children can occasionally walk to catch their breath, if necessary, but should aim to run or jog for the full 15 minutes.
We want every child to have the opportunity to do The Daily Mile at Primary School, and are now working to build The Daily Mile’s community with schools, local councils, sports bodies and other supporters in Ireland and beyond.
It takes place in 15 minutes, with most children averaging a mile, or more, each day.
Children run outside in the fresh air – and the weather is a benefit, not a barrier. There’s no set up, tidy up, or equipment required. No staff training is needed and there is no extra workload for teachers. Children run in their uniforms so no kit or changing time is needed. It’s social, non-competitive and fun. The children return to class ready to learn. It helps to improve fitness and achieve a healthy weight. It encourages children to be aware of their health. It’s fully inclusive; every child, whatever their circumstances, age or ability, succeeds at The Daily Mile.
Since starting The Daily Mile, we have noticed a very positive effect on children’s learning, concentration, focus, especially when run first thing in the morning surprisingly. When asked what your favourite thing at school is, children agreed it was the Daily Mile. We do believe it has helped with better behavior and mood. It has given our older classes the confidence to enter a cross country running event, something we hadn’t tried before this year. Children’s fitness has certainly improved. Children who had to walk the mile last October, are now jogging it with ease.
- Terry O'Sullivan, Former Principal in St.Brendan's NS, Blennerville, Ballyvelly, Tralee.
How to get involved
Time:
There is no set up time involved - it's 15 minutes a day at any time of the school day. Work around your own classroom schedule so that it works for you.
The Daily Mile is free and simple to implement. To make it even easier for your school to implement The Daily Mile, here is some of the resources you'll need to get started.
Links