Run 4 Resilience
Wellbeing and Social Connection
Written by Acacia Soares - Content Writer at Strength to Strength Mental & Physical Healthcare
The Run 4 Resilience program found a rise in physical, social and psychological wellbeing for participants as a result of ongoing physical activity and community engagement.
What is Run 4 Resilience?
The co-founders of the Run 4 Resilience program, Elise Falloon and Michael Chapman, aimed to increase individuals' mental health and wellbeing through movement, community connection, and education. Run 4 Resilience emphasises the importance of exercise and community connection as powerful tools to reduce and manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The project is a 12-week running and wellbeing program designed for beginner or new runners, the program provides access to a running coach, nutritionist, psychologist and physiotherapist. The program is aimed for the local community with the option of online for those out of area.
Each option consists of…
Participant Group:
Personalised 12-week run program
Weekly group check-in and running session
Free entry into the 10km event
Access to and presentations from a public health nutritionist
Access to and presentations from a psychologist
Access to a Physiotherapist
Regular WhatsApp chat for the group
A VIP Q&A presentation night, including talks from Health Proffesionals
Control Group:
Generalised 12-week run program
Free entry into the 10km event
A WhatsApp group
The Run 4 Resilience 2024 Final Report shows that the program, originally launched as a community research initiative has delivered successful participant outcomes for two consecutive years. We look forward to building on this success in the years to come
Hear From Participants:
The program’s mission was to cultivate strong social and community connections through movement and empower individuals to enhance their resilience, regardless of their perceived ability.
“To feel like you belong to something bigger than just yourself was really nice.”
Run 4 Resilience participant, Eliane Blay, said this was a brilliant opportunity to meet new people.
“To do something as a group, as a team, and to feel like you belong to something bigger than just yourself was really nice,” she said.
“So I think that in terms of resilience and feeling like you belong to a social fabric, to me, is very, very important to overcoming things, knowing that you're not alone.
“We ran together every morning, and we swapped stories, and over the 12 weeks, we got to know each other.
“We shared funny things, good things, but also some of the things we were struggling with.”
“It was very dark and cold, but beautiful that we did it together.”
Another participant, Zuzana Droppa, said some people might be hesitant to go for a 6am run in the middle of winter, but it was a cleansing experience to do so.
“I wouldn't go alone,” she said.
“But as part of the group, you are running in the dark, and then suddenly the sun is rising and you are there with the group led through the program, because it's very gentle as you progress through it.
“It was almost like a meditative experience.
“It was very dark and cold, but beautiful that we did it together.”
The Run 4 Resilience program allows participants to inspire positive change and growth in the lives of those around them by engaging in meaningful interactions, sharing goals, and creating a judgment-free environment.
“It helped me to learn to find time for me.”
Droppa said the program increased her wellbeing by allowing her to develop a work-life balance.
“I was coming out of a burnout at work,” she said.
“And that's why I joined the group as well, because I thought it would help me in my workaholic recovery from not squeezing work into every moment that I have available.
“So for example, obviously there was that weekly morning running together as a group, and I attended probably all of them, because I made it my priority.
“It helped me to learn to find time for me.”
“I run a business, but I've never done a 10km run in a race before.”
Blay said the running program increased her self-confidence in her capabilities.
“It's just that sense that I can,” she said.
“Even though I'm 43, you know, I've had four children.
“I run a business, but I've never done a 10km run in a race before.
“And just knowing that I can, my aging body can still do something like that, just gives me a sense that it's never too late to try something new and do new things and meet new people.”
The co-founders of the Run 4 Resilience program, Falloon and Chapman received positive feedback from both participants.
Blay said Falloon and Chapman provided the group with consistent check ins and support.
“Mick and Elise did a really fabulous job,” she said.
“They turned up every Wednesday morning, they checked in with us every week.
“And I think sometimes you need it, if you're going to exercise in a social group, you need a leader that will just be there and hold everybody accountable.”
Droppa said she is so grateful for their leadership in running and in creating a wonderful, supportive community.
“What I loved was what Elise and Mick prepared for us,” she said.
“The different get togethers during the park run together, the recovery session, the chats with a psychologist, and the different events.
“That was that was really so so lovely and special, because we got to interact with other participants in an environment outside of running as well.”
Wellbeing & Running Results:
Run 4 Resilience participants were surveyed at three different times before, during and after the program to assess their perception of running, engagement and overall wellbeing outlook.
Participants' wellbeing remained high throughout the program, with a main increase in levels of satisfaction and self-worth.
The average total wellbeing score after completing the Run 4 Resilience program was 99, an increase from before the program at 93.5.
Levels of wellbeing were measured using the wellbeing scale (COMPAS-W scale).
The 2024 program achieved higher retention rates than the pilot in 2023, with the participant group achieving the highest results overall.
The Australian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend a weekly total of 2.5 - 5 hours.
This group contributed to an average weekly increase of 1 hour 16 minutes.
Save The Date!!
Join us for the premiere of ‘Run 4 Resilience - The power of movement’ documentary on the 8th May at the Ritz Cinemas at 6pm.
This powerful documentary follows a diverse group of beginners as they take their first steps into running - not just for fitness, but for mental wellbeing and community connection. This inspiring film captures the highs and lows of a 12-week program designed to empower new runners, proving that resilience isn’t just a personal endeavour - it’s built together.