The National Running Show Community Grant Scheme is a funding initiative that provides £500 to £1,000 to grassroots running groups across the UK. Launched in 2020, the scheme aims to get inactive individuals moving, foster healthy habits in young people, and improve overall mental and physical wellness through running.
It is designed for local running clubs and community organisations that champion social inclusion and work to remove barriers to participation. Ultimately, the funding serves inactive individuals, youth, and underrepresented groups - such as the 2026 grant winner, Deaf Run Club - by helping them discover the sport and experience its health and social benefits.
Q&A with Arran from Deaf Run Club
1. Could you please share the origin story of Deaf Run Club and what experiences led the founders to create this community?
It was founded in October 2023 by Chloe and Emma. Deaf Run Club is a community built to bring people together through a shared love of running.
The club was started because joining mainstream running groups can often feel isolating for Deaf individuals, as these spaces rely heavily on spoken communication and instructions. Deaf Run Club removes these barriers by providing an environment where members can communicate naturally, connect with others who share their lived experiences, and enjoy the sport together. Ultimately, it is about much more than fitness - it is about creating a supportive, welcoming space where everyone can participate on equal terms.
2. What does this space provide that a mainstream running club couldn’t?
Deaf Run Club provides an instinctive sense of belonging where members can focus entirely on running, having fun, and building friendships without the stress of missing out.
Because British Sign Language is a visual language, communication relies completely on being able to see one another - a dynamic that members of a Deaf running group understand naturally. While mainstream clubs can absolutely become more accessible, there is a unique comfort in being surrounded by peers who automatically understand your lived experiences and share your language without you ever having to explain your communication needs.
The club also bridges an important information gap - in mainstream spaces, valuable knowledge about the latest running gear, training strategies, and practical tips is frequently shared through spoken chats or inaccessible event announcements. Within Deaf Run Club, members can easily share knowledge, learn from one another, and help each other develop as runners on truly equal terms.
3. How has being part of this club changed the confidence of its members?
The most rewarding impact has been witnessing the dramatic growth in our members' confidence and mental well-being.
Mental health is a critical concern within the Deaf community, with research showing that up to 60 per cent of Deaf people experience mental health issues—more than double the rate of the hearing population. Much of this stems from the isolation of being left out of everyday conversations, which makes finding an understanding community vital.
Many of our members were initially hesitant to step out and try something new, but the club provided the support they needed to take those first steps. We have seen incredible physical milestones, with runners progressing from Couch to 5K all the way to completing 10Ks and half marathons. However, the true transformation goes far beyond distance. By breaking down isolation, expanding social circles, and building deep friendships, Deaf Run Club has proven what is possible when people feel genuinely included, supported, and connected.
4. What communication strategies work best for keeping everyone together during a run?
Because sign language requires clear visibility, structured planning and visual communication are essential to every session.
Before setting off, the group ensures everyone knows the route, distance, pace, and safety protocols if anyone gets separated. During the run, members rely on visual signals, gestures, and regular checks to keep the group safely together.
This visual approach makes running in the dark a unique challenge. While hearing runners can chat effortlessly in total darkness, Deaf runners must be able to see each other’s hands, faces, and expressions to communicate. This becomes particularly difficult during the winter months. Because of this, the club uses running lights not just for road safety, but as an essential tool to keep conversations glowing in the dark. Ultimately, the club’s strategy is simple: plan ahead, keep communication visible, and ensure no runner is ever left behind.
5. If mainstream races could make one specific adjustment to be more accessible to your community, what should it be?
True accessibility means ensuring all essential race information is available visually, rather than relying solely on spoken announcements.
Race briefings, safety protocols, route alterations, and emergency updates must always be provided in written or visual formats. For instance, if an organiser broadcasts a critical update over a loudspeaker, that exact information should simultaneously be made visible to Deaf participants. Real accessibility goes far beyond just allowing someone to sign up for an event; it is about providing the equal access to information that allows every runner to participate safely, confidently, and independently.
6. How will the grant funding be used to support Deaf Run Club members?
The grant will be used to purchase running lights, a simple yet vital piece of equipment that allows members to continue running and communicating safely through the winter.
While hearing runners can effortlessly chat in pitch-black conditions, Deaf runners rely entirely on seeing each other’s hands, faces, and expressions to use sign language. When the winter months bring early darkness, it creates a serious barrier to group activities. By introducing these lights, the club ensures runners can see one another clearly to keep conversations flowing, while also improving road safety. This equipment provides a meaningful boost, giving the entire community the safety and confidence to stay active year-round.
7. What impact will that have on the community?
Beyond just keeping members active, this grant provides a vital lifeline that keeps our community connected, socialised, and supported during the isolating winter months.
For our members, running is as much about mental well-being as it is about physical fitness. This is incredibly important in a community where mental health challenges are disproportionately high. Deaf Run Club has already helped people break through isolation, build their confidence, and form lasting friendships - guiding runners on incredible journeys from taking their first steps to completing 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. By funding running lights, this grant prevents the winter darkness from becoming another barrier to participation, ensuring our members can continue to look out for one another and thrive together year-round.
8. What kind of legacy do you want this club to build over time?
Our goal is to prove that Deaf people belong in the running world and to use sport as a powerful catalyst for confidence, friendship, and independence.
We want to inspire more Deaf individuals to discover running - whether that means tackling a first 5K or crossing the finish line of a half marathon - within a supportive community where they feel understood and proud. Beyond our own club, we hope to challenge mainstream running groups and race organisers to rethink accessibility. Simple, thoughtful changes - like providing visual announcements and understanding how winter darkness impacts sign language - can dismantle major barriers.
With Deaf Run Club we want to build a lasting community. Our legacy will not be measured by the miles we cover, but by the lives we touch, the confidence we build, and the path we clear for future Deaf runners.
The National Running Show is set to celebrate its milestone 10th anniversary over the weekend of 30–31 January 2027 at the NEC Birmingham. To mark a decade of milestones, personal bests, and community spirit, the event will feature a special 10-year showcase entrance, an exclusive after-hours party, and more celebrations to be announced soon. Secure your tickets and be part of the celebrations!