Runners in the Tunbridge Wells half-marathon can call on a bit of extra mental support – thanks to a team led by a University sport psychologist.
Before they set off on the 13.1-mile race on 22 February, runners will be able to speak to a psyching team – organised by the University – to help give themselves that ‘mind over exhaustion’ mentality.
And the mental support will continue during and after the race too, with the psyching team stationed at different points on the course and at the finish line.
It will be first time a UK marathon or half-marathon race has featured a psyching team to help runners prepare mentally – but they are common in North America, where they originated.
The team of ten, which includes two sport psychologists from the University’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, will have a stand set up as competitors check in on 21 February to pick up their race bags – as well as on the race day itself.
The psychologists will be offering practical tips on how competitors can achieve mental strength and – as a symbolic gesture – handing out small pieces of finishing line ribbon for runners to reunite with the finish line when they complete the race.
Major international marathons – including those in Toronto and Columbus – have benefited from psyching teams for a number of years.
Dr Carla Meijen, Lecturer in Sport Psychology, said that the team would be able to provide runners with ‘practical mental strategies such as goal-setting, relaxation techniques, and helpful self-talk’ to improve their performance and enjoyment of the race.
The University-led team, also featuring other specialists in sport psychology from around Kent and the South East, will be available in the Sports Hall at Fusion Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre from 4.30pm on Saturday 21 February and before the 9.00am race start on Sunday 22 February. They will also be stationed at various points around the course to help runners through any difficult moments.