Paper short abstract:

This paper explores running as a form of green exercise - that is exercise in green spaces - by engaging with bodily and experiential elements of runners' practice. The paper poses the question, how does running in green spaces as a form of mobility contribute to the wellbeing of runners?

Paper long abstract:

This paper explores running as a form of green exercise - that is exercise in green spaces - by engaging with the corporeal and haptic elements of runners' practice. Existing research, much of it from environmental psychology and health sciences, tells us that green exercise can offer additional benefits beyond those offered by indoor exercise or exercise in urban environments. However, many urban green spaces blur urban/non-urban boundaries, offer escape from otherwise urban landscapes and provide opportunities to connect with nature in or close to cities. Therefore, understanding how these urban green spaces, which often feature in everyday running practice, can also contribute to health and wellbeing benefits can help to broaden the our understanding of green exercise. This research engages with phenomenological approaches and Lefebvrian rhythmanalysis, to respond to calls from scholars to include and consider experiential, human and more-than-human elements of green exercise. The paper poses the question, how does running in and through green spaces as a form of mobility contribute to the wellbeing of runners? Run-along interviews are used to gather in-depth and rich qualitative data about running practice, place dynamics - including human and more-than-human - and perceived wellbeing benefits. This work aims to reimagine what can be seen as a sporting or "healthy" practice by specifically considering the green spaces which feature in running routes and ultimately to locate them as part of a therapeutic landscape of running.