by Anishametra Saravanan  

The new year calls for new resolutions on your bucket list, including your health! Here are 6 reasons why you should consider upping your fitness game through running (okay, jogging or brisk walking counts too)!

Whether it is a full marathon or even a 5km jog, every step taken is a good start towards your fitness goals for the year. 

The act of running is one of the simplest and most accessible forms of exercise that requires nothing more than a pair of running shoes and an open space. Beyond simply burning calories, let’s look at a few reasons you should join a run: 

Running is an effective cardio workout, which can improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Plus, it can increase muscle strength and endurance, leading to overall improved physical fitness. 

Want to start a healthy habit to get your mind off the stresses of life? Running has been known to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The endorphins released during exercise can improve mood, concentration and overall well-being.  

Completing your workout routine, such as finishing a run is a personal goal that can bring a sense of pride and satisfaction. Be it 2km or 42km, crossing the finish line would be a testament to your hard work and dedication that went into training. Once you’re on a roll with your running regime, you could always set the bar higher for your next run. 

Running can literally take you places! Joining a run in a new location can be a great way to combine exercise with travel and adventure. And who knows, once you’ve tried your hand at our local runs, you may want to experience running in iconic locations around the world, such as New York City, London, and Paris the next time you’re on holiday. 

Many runs have charity partners whereby they may choose to raise money for a particular cause. It’s a great way to raise awareness and funds for a cause you care about while getting your sweat on. 

We go far by going together. Health-based events like runs builds community and comradery by bringing together people from all walks of life. Running with a group can provide a sense of belonging to a community of similar passion who share a common goal.  

And if you’re worried about not knowing where to start, it’s always good to start small. While joining a full physical marathon can seem incredibly daunting, the option of joining a virtual marathon definitely seems much more achievable when you have the ability to pace your goal the course of a month.  

If you’re considering to kickstart your running journey through a virtual challenge this year, here’s your chance to represent YTL by joining Malaysia’s Largest Intercompany Marathon Challenge. The first 100 slots are free, so hurry and grab them while you still can!