As January sparks a wave of new fitness resolutions and marathon training ramps up across the UK, a growing number of people are lacing up their running shoes for reasons that go far beyond physical health. A new survey has revealed that over one in four people (27%) turn to running to help process grief after losing a loved one, giving rise to a powerful new term: mourning running.
The research highlights how running is becoming an emotional lifeline for those navigating loss, offering clarity, control and connection during one of life’s most overwhelming experiences.
How running helps people process grief
According to the survey, the mental and emotional benefits of mourning running are significant. Nearly three quarters of respondents (72%) said running helps them clear their head, while 67% reported feeling a renewed sense of control at a time when life can feel unpredictable. Another 72% said running provides a vital outlet during moments of emotional numbness or overwhelm.
For many, the impact is deeply cathartic. Two in three people (65%) admitted that running helps them cry or emotionally release, while three quarters (72%) said they feel more like themselves after heading out for a jog.
This trend also highlights how grief is often faced alone. The survey found that almost half (49%) of people who are grieving have avoided asking loved ones for emotional support, with one in seven (14%) feeling they must cope entirely by themselves.
Marie Curie responds with grief-focused run clubs
The survey was commissioned by Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end-of-life charity and Charity of the Year for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, taking place on Sunday 26 April 2026.
In response to the findings, Marie Curie has partnered with mental health–focused running community Run Your Mind to launch a series of Marie Curie x Run Your Mind Grief Run Clubs. Held monthly from January to April, these supportive run clubs offer a safe space for people experiencing grief to connect, move and heal together.
Saiqa Phillips, Bereavement Coordinator at Marie Curie Hospice, West Midlands, explains why exercise can play such a vital role during bereavement:
“A normal and healthy coping mechanism when anticipating a loss, or after someone has died, is to exercise and engage in a physical challenge. Physical activity releases endorphins which can help reduce stress and anxiety, particularly when associated with grief.
In post-bereavement, maintaining a bond with the person who has died is also normal. Each movement when running can feel like a vibration sent and received between the runner and their loved one — almost like an invisible string connected from heart to heart.”
Jenni Falconer: ‘Running clears my mind’
TV and radio presenter, wellness advocate and business founder Jenni Falconer is taking part in the 2026 TCS London Marathon in support of Marie Curie. A passionate runner, she says the mental benefits of running are undeniable:
“When I run, my mind feels clear, any stress eases and it’s as if a weight lifts off your shoulders. It’s my meditation time — a chance to focus on the positives rather than the challenges of the day.”
She adds that choosing Marie Curie as her marathon charity felt instinctive:
“Physical exercise like running can help process the complex emotions that arise when experiencing grief. Marie Curie’s work is so incredibly important — they ensure people don’t face the end of life alone. I’d love to see more runners with a marathon place fundraise for them, because they couldn’t be more deserving.”
‘Sometimes I run until I cry’
For Jordan Dunn, 38, from North Petherton, Somerset, running became a crucial coping tool after the loss of her father. Now also running the 2026 London Marathon for Marie Curie, she says:
“It wasn’t until I lost my dad that I put all my grief into running. Nothing can prepare you for loss, but running helped fill the void. Sometimes I run until I cry, then I can carry on. It’s changed my life — it’s helped me process grief, look after myself better and do something positive like fundraising.”
Why Marie Curie’s work matters more than ever
More than 600,000 people die in the UK every year, yet many miss out on the care and support they need at the end of life. Those from disadvantaged or marginalised communities are most affected. By 2050, the demand for end-of-life care is expected to increase by 25%.
Marie Curie provides expert care for people with terminal illness through its hospices, hospitals and community services, as well as offering support for loved ones via its free national Support Line (0800 090 2309).
The charity is encouraging anyone with a place in the 2026 TCS London Marathon to run for Marie Curie and help raise £2 million to fund care, comfort and dignity for people at the end of life.
To find out more about running for Marie Curie or joining the Marie Curie x Run Your Mind Grief Run Clubs, visit: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/marathon
