Up and Running

Up and Running Exercise is considered to be a powerful tool for managing mental health. When done outdoors in a natural setting, the benefits are multiplied.

Up and Running is a registered charity delivering nature-based group walking and running programs that remove barriers to activity for people looking to improve their mental health. Up and Running is a registered charity that delivers group walking and running programs specifically designed to support female-identifying persons who are experiencing mental health challenges such as stress, mild to

moderate anxiety and/or depression. For those who are struggling, there are immense barriers to getting active outdoors. We work to remove those barriers by offering inclusive, non-competitive programs led by volunteer coaches and mentors with a focus on getting active together, rather than achieving a specific pace or distance. Since our launch in 2016, our programs have impacted hundreds of local women, helping them adopt outdoor activity as a tool to promote their mental health and well-being. We hope to grow our offerings over the next few years, perhaps delivering programs in new locations or for new populations. We have talked about piloting a men’s Up and Running program, recognizing their unique mental health needs and the potential benefit our programs could offer them. Our programs harness the benefits of movement, nature and social connections to provide a boost for women managing their mental health. Acting as a companion to other treatments, Up and Running draws its inspiration from our participants' stories, and from studies showing the role exercise can play in reducing stress, boosting mood, and improving overall mental well-being.


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If you would like to donate to Up and Running, please go to: https://www.simplyk.io/donation/5ecbedbc43cc960029d979e4

We’re sneaking under the wire with this post, but …HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!! ✨💕🦋Up and Running is so grateful to...
03/09/2026

We’re sneaking under the wire with this post, but …
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!! ✨💕🦋

Up and Running is so grateful to operate in a community of incredible, inspiring, strong, supportive, compassionate women.

To all of our volunteers and participants, past and present, thank you for being you.

Let’s give a big shout-out to all the winter warriors out there! 👏Up and Running programs walk and run in all (safe) con...
01/20/2026

Let’s give a big shout-out to all the winter warriors out there! 👏

Up and Running programs walk and run in all (safe) conditions, all year long, thanks to our incredible team of volunteers and wonderful participants. 🫶

If you’re looking to take some steps towards improving your mental wellbeing, check out our inclusive, non-competitive, and friendly programs this winter! We’re only in week 2, so there’s plenty of time to join! ☺️



📸: Evening Walking Group!

If you’re looking to get active, spend time in nature, and be a part of a community, join us this winter! ❄️ With Monday...
12/22/2025

If you’re looking to get active, spend time in nature, and be a part of a community, join us this winter! ❄️

With Monday/Wednesday evening options and Tuesday/Thursday daytime options, our programs have a group for you!

All are welcome and no one is ever left behind!

There's still time to join us for our Storytelling and Nature Walk Wellness Workshop, tomorrow, November 21st, in the Ar...
11/20/2025

There's still time to join us for our Storytelling and Nature Walk Wellness Workshop, tomorrow, November 21st, in the Arboretum!

This session is a storytelling walk focusing on mindfulness and exploring Indigenous practices of connecting with nature.

This free workshop runs from 11:00am to 12:30pm! Learn more on our website, or at the link in our bio!

Happy fall everyone! Autumn is a time of vibrant colours on trees and also health benefits! Did you know: Taking a quick...
10/30/2025

Happy fall everyone! Autumn is a time of vibrant colours on trees and also health benefits!

Did you know: Taking a quick walk in nature during the fall has been shown to decrease your fight or flight response and allow your body to go into rest and digest mode. It can also calm your heart, lift your mood and help you feel less stressed out.

We encourage you to step outside this autumn season! 🍁

We're a little late to the party, but World Food Day was October 16th! The food choices you make impact your health and ...
10/18/2025

We're a little late to the party, but World Food Day was October 16th!

The food choices you make impact your health and the environment around you! By choosing locally grown food, eating seasonal produce, adding more plant-based protein, and doing our best to reduce food waste, we can be stewards of the environment and our health.

Let's make good choices for ourselves and the environment!

October 10th is an international day to bring awareness to mental health. Did you know: Community has a powerfully posit...
10/11/2025

October 10th is an international day to bring awareness to mental health.

Did you know: Community has a powerfully positive impact on mental health! Being a part of a group releases oxytocin, the “bonding hormone”, which increases a feeling of wellbeing and love.

These days, we need community more than ever, so we want to thank everyone involved in Up and Running for being a part of our community! 💚

Happy National Forest Week! From September 21 to 27 Guelph is celebrating trees and forests. 🌳Fun fact: Forests can help...
09/26/2025

Happy National Forest Week! From September 21 to 27 Guelph is celebrating trees and forests. 🌳
Fun fact: Forests can help increase focus and lower stress levels while strengthening the immune system. 🍁
We're so lucky Guelph has so many incredible green spaces to walk and run! 🌲

🍃 Harvest Trailmixer 2025 🍃The silent auction is officially closed! 🎉Thank you to everyone who participated in the aucti...
09/21/2025

🍃 Harvest Trailmixer 2025 🍃

The silent auction is officially closed! 🎉Thank you to everyone who participated in the auction, contributing to raising funds for Up and Running Guelph and supporting mental health awareness 👏🏼🧠 We hope to see you at next year’s event!

Follow our account to learn more about upcoming events and activities! 😊

🍃 Harvest Trailmixer 2025 🍃…And that’s a wrap on our 6th Annual Run/Walk for Mental Health! 🏃🏻‍♀️🧠 It was a beautiful da...
09/16/2025

🍃 Harvest Trailmixer 2025 🍃

…And that’s a wrap on our 6th Annual Run/Walk for Mental Health! 🏃🏻‍♀️🧠 It was a beautiful day for the event, with fall colours starting to peak out.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s event and who contributed to fundraising efforts! The event would not have been possible without you, and our amazing group of volunteers, vendors, and event sponsors! 🙌🏻 Once event photos are ready, they will be available through an accessible drive/link.

🎊 Our silent auction will remain open until September 20th at 5pm. Be sure to check out the prizes and get your bid in before the auction closes!

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Guelph, ON

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