The 2024 Climate Relay – a 2436km continuous relay from Ben Nevis in Scotland to Big Ben in London – has begun! Hundreds of hands will carry the baton on its 210-stage journey to send a message to our political leaders:
We want change for a fitter planet – NOW!
The journey started on 6 June in Fort William at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, with the Running Out of Time organisers and volunteers speaking to several school groups about the challenges of the climate emergency and the goal of the relay. On Sunday 9 June, the baton was carried by Green Runners co-founder Jasmin Paris to the top of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, joined by a small group of fellow runners.
As the baton is run, cycled, kayaked and swam throughout the United Kingdom, it will come within touching distance of around 20 million people.
When it reaches Big Ben, it will be 4 July, when we hope everyone will have voted for a greener future in the UK’s General Election. At 8.30pm on 4 July, there is a big gathering planned on Parliament Square, so follow us and Climate Relay on social media for more information when it comes!
As partners, we loved supporting the Climate Relay last year, with dozens of our members turning out to carry the baton and support its journey through the country. It is an amazing way for our members to connect with one another and spread the message of the Climate Relay even further. It’s running combined with climate action – how could we not!?
David Starley, one of our co-founders, is a frequent volunteer on the Climate Relay and will this year be running several massive stages in support of the baton’s journey to London. “I love meeting like minded people and feeling like I contributed to something much bigger than myself”, he said. “Selfishly, it also helps with my own climate anxiety to be in such a positive environment when the science and news are very negative.”
For David, this is an incredible opportunity for us to send a message that change is urgently required: “Sport is a powerful platform for sharing the message, and can grab media attention where other forms of action struggle. Also, it is just such a positive thing to be involved in, regardless of where you are in your green journey.”
You can find all the stage of the Climate Relay on their website, where you can also sign up for a stage! Get involved!
