"Get Moving" with the Staffy Trail this summer!

People in and around Staffordshire are being encouraged to pull on their walking shoes, hop on their bikes or warm up for a run as The Staffy Trail prepares to launch its ‘Get Moving’ themed week. 

Delivered by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) in partnership with Staffordshire County Council and Making Trails, the Staffy Trail is inviting residents and visitors to explore Staffordshire in a more active way. 

‘Get Moving’ week launches from Saturday 30 May with dedicated walking, running and cycling routes now available across Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Tamworth through the Strava fitness app. 

The routes connect a pack of giant Staffy sculptures positioned across town centres and key gateway locations, encouraging people to discover Staffordshire’s heritage, outdoor spaces, local attractions and independent businesses along the way. 

People taking part are also being encouraged to make a day of it by stopping off for refreshments, visiting local cafes and supporting town centre businesses after completing their route. 

One of the highlights of the week is Hanley Park parkrun, which takes place every Saturday morning and begins beside the ‘Sonney’ Staffy sculpture in Hanley Park. Parkrun regularly attracts visitors from across the region and beyond, making it another great way for people to discover Staffordshire while getting active outdoors.

Matthew Sharman, from Stone, is encouraging others to explore the Staffy Trail in active ways after seeing first-hand how running transformed his physical and mental wellbeing. 

Matt first started running in 2022 to improve his physical and mental health following his dad’s cancer diagnosis, starting with short morning runs a few times a week. Since then, his passion for running has gone from strength to strength and, earlier this year, he completed the London Marathon in an impressive two hours and 39 minutes. 

Having recently ran the Staffy Trail route in Stafford, Matt is now encouraging others to give it a go either on foot or on bike. 

Matt, aged 37, said: “Running has had a huge impact on both my physical and mental health. It started as a way to clear my head at a difficult time and has grown into something I genuinely love. 

“I really enjoyed running the Staffy Trail route in Stafford. It’s a really good way to get moving while seeing parts of the town you might not normally visit. You can walk it, run it or cycle it — whatever suits you. It gets you outdoors, clears your head and gives you a chance to stop off for a coffee or a bite to eat afterwards too.” 

The Staffy Trail was launched as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations for Staffordshire Day and has already attracted more than a thousand participants. The trail is designed to encourage people to explore more of the county while supporting local businesses and communities. 

Robin Hall, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “The Staffy Trail is all about getting out and discovering more of Staffordshire and ‘Get Moving’ week is a brilliant opportunity for people to explore the trail in a fun and active way. 

“Whether you walk, run or cycle, there’s something really special about discovering new places, spotting the sculptures and enjoying everything our towns have to offer along the route. 

“We’d also encourage people to stop off for a coffee, lunch or a bit of shopping while they’re out and about, because the trail is also helping support our fantastic local businesses and high streets. Staffordshire really is the nation’s playground and this is a great way to experience it.” 

Those exploring the Staffy Trail are encouraged to share their photos using #FollowStaffy and #StaffordshireDay10. 

People completing the trail can unlock rewards and exclusive offers through the official Staffy Trail app, which can be downloaded from the Visit Staffordshire website here.