Entries for this year’s Deep RiverRock 5 & 3k race close on Friday 17 March at 4pm and staff are encouraged to sign up for one of 30 FREE places which are only available to Queen's staff.

Colleagues from Queen’s Sport and Staff Wellbeing (People and Culture) took time out this week to encourage staff to take part in this year’s race. Head of Queen’s Sport and Physical Wellbeing, Karl Oakes says the 5km is a great way to draw more people into campus activities, across all areas of the Five Ways to Wellbeing model.

“We know sport and exercise has a transformative power and contributes to a healthier campus and community spirit. The evidence that physical activity can improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety and help prevent mental health problems is strong. Our recent Wellbeing Week was a chance for us all to promote the benefits of physical activity, but we would encourage staff to build in positive habits all year round and throughout their life. The Deep River Rock Queen’s 5K is a milestone for many of staff who regularly take part in so called entry level activities such as our Couch to 5K or weekly Queen's Park Run based at our Upper Malone venue. But time is running out to get entered!”

Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Staff Wellbeing, and keen runner, Conor Curran – who will be representing Ireland over 1500m at the World Masters Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland later this month - encouraged all Queen’s staff to consider participating:

“As we move into Spring, it’s great to start into new, positive habits and to promote our health and wellbeing programme for staff. We hope that by paying the entry fee for 30 members of staff, this might be the kick start they need to start new, healthy habits. We are very conscious of the cost of living pressures for many people and hope that the free entries go down well. In addition, we are offering a number of £25 voucher spot prizes, generously provided by local businesses for all Queen’s staff participating in either the 3km Fun Run or 5km. ”

Any member of staff who wishes to avail of a FREE entry for the Queen’s 3km or 5km is asked to complete this form. The first 30 members of staff to enter via the form will receive a FREE entry to either the 3km Fun Run or the 5km, which takes place on Thursday 23^rd March 2023. Applications will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.

Staff are asked to email Wellbeing Officer, Gary Kane (gary.kane@qub.ac.uk) if they have any queries.