Running Up For Air with Patagonia

We are all breathing in harmful air. It damages our health and the environment around us. As trail runners we feel this acutely, but for the communities exposed to the worst effects of air pollution the issue is critical. Read on to learn more, and to see how you can get involved in the Patagonia Strava Challenge to help raise funds and awareness of this potentially deadly issue. 

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Photo credit: Patagonia

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The shocking effect of air pollution

In December 2020, Ella Adoo-Kissi-Deborah became the first officially recorded death due to air pollution in the UK having grown up in the heavily polluted Lewisham district of South East London. The UK currently ranks in the top 5 European countries for premature deaths due to exposure to poor air quality with 36000 deaths per annum attributable to it. Despite the passing of a recent Environment Act, the UK government continues to miss the opportunity to adhere to the World Health Organisation’s recommendations on protecting citizens from the harmful effects of air pollution. As the climate crisis worsens, more communities will suffer.

Raising awareness for, and with runners

On June 25th 2022, Patagonia’s Running Up for Air will provide an opportunity to celebrate the trails that we share, whilst increasing awareness for the issues around air pollution and raising funds for the groups working to improve air quality such as Friends of the Earth, and Client Earth. 

Friends of the Earth works at both a local and regional level to hold elected officials accountable to their responsibilities to protect the health of their communities. By using legal challenges, lobbying, and citizen science projects they provide data-led evidence and a unified voice for the UK communities most affected by the climate crisis. 

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Photo credit: Patagonia

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Client Earth also seeks to hold elected officials accountable, doing so primarily through legal challenges to government and EU law in order to create widespread change. They have previously challenged the UK government on three occasions in court and have won each case. These victories have then required the relevant Minister to revise their plans and create new, compliant air quality plans to tackle the problem and better protect the people. 

Originally created by Patagonia Ambassador Jared Campbell, Running Up for Air has grown into a global event with runners across the world, from the Tetons to the Chamonix Valley, taking to the trails to challenge themselves, and join the fight for clean air. 

“No matter where we live, taking a day to run, think and do something about air pollution is worthwhile” says Patagonia Ambassador Claire Gallagher, who has used her platform to advocate for people and planet throughout her career.  

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Photo credit: Patagonia

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How can you get involved? 

You can sign up to join SportsShoes and Patagonia on June 25th to raise awareness and funds to support this critical issue. Whether you want to run for 1 hour or 24, over hills, highways or house steps, everyone is welcome. It’s not about where you run, but why you run.    

Join the Patagonia Running Up for Air challenge on Strava and sign up to support the groups working on clean air initiatives at www.patagonia-rufa.com.

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