NHS to Reward People Who Walk 30 Minutes a Day

For the first time, NHS England is introducing rewards for daily exercise as part of a new walking scheme launching early next year, the BBC reported.

The "marathon a month challenge" asks people to walk for around 30 minutes each day. Those who maintain the routine will clock roughly 26 miles monthly – the distance of a marathon. According to the BBC, users will log their walks online or through their phone or smartwatch, and those who complete the challenge will become eligible for rewards including incentives and discounts.

The scheme is being developed in partnership with Sir Brendan Foster, the former Olympic medallist and founder of the Great North Run, who was asked by NHS England to lead a campaign encouraging walking. "I'm known for running, but the ambition here is far simpler. We just want people to walk," he told the BBC.

Physical inactivity is associated with one in six deaths, according to NHS England. A person is classified as physically inactive if they do less than 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.

The initiative forms part of the 10-year health plan for England. NHS England is covering the initial set-up costs, with plans to draw in philanthropic backing from major corporates as the scheme rolls out.