R.E.D. January

The running year got off to a cracking start as a number of Pacers, sleek and rotund after the Christmas feasting season, signed up to try and run every single day in the most dismal month of the year. The mental health charity Mind have organised R.E.D. January as a both a fundraiser and because of the positive effects regular exercise can have on mental well being.

Sometimes you just need that little extra boost to persuade you to get your running shoes back on and pound the streets, beginners/returners groups, first Parkrun of the year or R.E.D. January, whatever it takes to get us up and out, it's all good.

So what happens if you fail to run on day 4 ? Well so what, just get going again on Day 5, and if that doesn't happen, because we all know the car breaks down, or the kids get flu, or the gerbil needs an emergency trip to the vet, well just get going again the following day. Run more than you did in December, or last January, or whatever target you'd like to set, you're still a winner.

To add to the frisson of the event though, Paul, Grand High Marshall of the Orange Army, has promised to buy a round of drinks for anyone who can complete the whole event, and if you are sure sure just how momentous a thing this offer is, here's a short list of things which happened the last time Paul opened his wallet....

• 3 of The Beatles were still alive
• Beer was under £1 a pint
• It was still OK to like Gary Glitter
•  Friday night takeaway meant dried Vesta packet curry
• The Daily Mail still supported Hitler