Runforever

What Runforever does

Runforever is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO SC053581) founded in March 2023 and formally registered with OSCR in August 2024. It operates from Banchory, Scotland, with primary programme delivery at HMP & YOI Grampian in Peterhead. The organisation promotes educational projects based on marathon running and the Feldenkrais Method (a somatic 'awareness through movement' approach created by Moshe Feldenkrais) for humanising health care within prison environments and the wider community, addressing underlying causes of reoffending and the stigmatisation of prisoner populations.

Its core products are the Running Club Programme (weekly sessions at HMP Grampian using NHS couch-to-5k methodology and a 'finishers not winners' philosophy), Feldenkrais Sessions (weekly somatic classes followed by group sharing), Runningstories (a radio/podcast series produced with Shmu and broadcast inside and outside prison), Photovoice (photo-based storytelling exhibitions), Writers in Residence (expressive writing using Pennebaker's method), and The Silent Run (a memorial ritual rather than a race, held inside prison and in the community). Complementary offerings include a Jog Leader mentoring course with Fife College and the 'Through the Thickness' art/performance project with Citymoves Dance Agency.

Runforever generates no commercial revenue. Its model is donation- and grant-based, funded by private donations, foundation grants (Hugh Fraser Foundation, Robertson Trust, Allen Lane Foundation, ACVO/AVA Community Mental Health Funds), and sport-specific grants (Athletics Trust Scotland's Transforming Lives grants, 2023 and 2024). Services are delivered free of charge to prisoners and community participants. Distribution is direct and institutional, anchored by the HMP Grampian partnership and amplified through a network of charities, universities (RGU, University of Aberdeen), arts organisations, and community media partners. The organisation is led by Founder/CEO Paolo Maccagno and governed by a board of trustees chaired by Mark Hope.

Name

Runforever

Legal name

Runforever SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

Website

https://runforever.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Runforever is a Scottish charity that delivers educational programmes combining marathon running and Feldenkrais somatic education at HMP Grampian and in the community, serving prisoners, ex-prisoners, families, and partner organisations to humanise prison healthcare and reduce reoffending.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Prison Rehabilitation and Humanising Healthcare Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Endurance & Running/Cycling Training (HSADAAAG), Road Running Events (Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K/5K) (MPAKAIAA)

Keywords

• Prison rehabilitation services
• Somatic movement education
• Community running programmes
• Feldenkrais method classes
• Expressive writing programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Banchory

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Runforever relies on private donations from individuals and organisations. The website includes a donation mechanism for supporters.
2. Foundation and Trust Grants: Funders include Hugh Fraser Foundation (2025), Robertson Trust (2025), Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action/Community Mental Health Fund (2025), Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations/Community Mental Health Fund (2025), To Absent Friends/GLGDGG (2024), Athletics Trust Scotland (2023 and 2024), The Allen Lane Foundation (2023).
3. Athletics Trust Scotland Funding: Athletics Trust Scotland provided Transforming Lives grants to support running programmes at HMP Grampian.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Runforever delivers free educational programmes that combine marathon running philosophy and the Feldenkrais method (somatic awareness-through-movement) to humanise health care within prison environments and surrounding communities in Scotland. The organisation runs weekly running clubs and Feldenkrais classes at HMP & YOI Grampian, complemented by creative initiatives including the Runningstories radio show, Photovoice exhibitions, Writers in Residence expressive writing, the Jog Leaders Mentoring Course, and the Silent Run memorial event. All programmes are funded by grants and donations, with no charge to participants.

Product overview

Runforever is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) offering educational programmes based on marathon running and the Feldenkrais method for humanising health care within prison environments and communities. The core offering consists of the Running Club Programme (weekly running sessions at HMP Grampian prison) and Feldenkrais Sessions (somatic movement classes), complemented by creative storytelling initiatives including Runningstories (radio/podcast series), Photovoice (photo-based storytelling), and Writers in Residence (expressive writing programme). The Silent Run serves as a memorial event creating bridges between prison and community. All programmes are delivered as collective practices focused on awareness, attention, and relational health rather than measurable outcomes or competitive goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Runningstories: A radio show broadcasting stories from runners in the Runforever running club, created in collaboration with Shmu-Aberdeen and the Media Unit at HMP & YOI Grampian. The show is broadcast inside and outside the prison.
• The Silent Run
• Photovoice
• Writers in Residence

Products and services

• Running Club Programme Weekly running sessions at HMP & YOI Grampian prison combining marathon training philosophy with community building between inside and outside participants. The programme uses NHS couch to 5k methodology and promotes running as a collective team experience focused on finishing rather than winning, with participants progressing from 5K to half marathon within one year. Free of charge to prisoners and community participants.
• Feldenkrais Sessions Weekly Feldenkrais method classes (awareness through movement) followed by group sharing conversations ('Around the fire'). A somatic educational method created by Moshe Feldenkrais that aids rehabilitation for people dealing with injury, illness, depression, anxiety, and mental health, facilitating a shift to a more healthful/salutogenic orientation in life. Delivered to prisoners at HMP Grampian free of charge.
• Runningstories A radio show and podcast series broadcasting stories from runners in the Runforever running club, created in collaboration with Shmu-Aberdeen and the Media Unit at HMP & YOI Grampian. Episodes are broadcast inside the prison and on Shmu FM 99.8 in Aberdeen, giving voice to prisoners and community runners about their running experience and health impact.
• Photovoice A photo-based storytelling method for capturing runners' experiences of the running club through photos and words. Runners take photos during sessions and reflect on meaningful ones, often writing haikus or short poems. Photos and narratives are exhibited at events, highlighting 'warm data' and co-creating value from the inside. Developed in collaboration with Stephanie Morrison from RGU and IFF.
• The Silent Run A memorial run (or walk) celebrating people who died in prison or elsewhere, described as 'not a race, a ritual for remembering, with no finish line.' Takes place both inside prison and in the community, opening conversation about death and grieving in custody. Part of the To Absent Friends Festival. Free to participants.
• Writers in Residence An expressive writing programme emerging from running and Feldenkrais sessions. Uses James Pennebaker's expressive writing method where writing is personal, free-flowing, and informal, focused on healing through writing rather than becoming poets. The group was named by Stephanie Morrison and was celebrated at a public event at HMP Grampian on 21 November 2025 during Prisoners' Week.
• Jog Leaders Mentoring Course Training course for prisoners to learn skills for mentoring other runners within the prison, based on Jog-scotland leader training course and working towards Jogscotland qualification. Delivered in collaboration with Fife College, enabling prisoners to qualify as mentors within the prison running club.

Quantifiable outcome

• Runners progressed from couch to 5K to half marathon within one year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, secondary and historical.

• HMP & YOI GrampiancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2023Primary operational partner where Runforever delivers weekly running clubs and Feldenkrais sessions. Partnership began February 2023 with collaboration with the Recovery, Health & Wellbeing Strategy Group. The prison provides access, staff support, and venue for radio production.
• IFF (International Futures Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFF provides intellectual framework for 'humanising healthcare' approach and hosts workshops and conversations about Runforever's work. Margaret Hannah (IFF Director of Health programmes) provides ongoing guidance and collaboration.
• ShmucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAberdeen community media charity that collaborates on the Runningstories radio show. Shmu's Media Unit at HMP Grampian enables prisoners to produce and broadcast radio programmes inside and outside the prison.
• FamiliesoutsidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdinburgh-based charity supporting families of prisoners. Partnership began in 2016 in Scotland and continues, helping address transition of prisoners to outer community and family reunification through running.
• ACE VoicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAberdeen-based organisation providing choir and musical activities. Collaborated on The Silent Run memorial events with performances and song recordings for prisoners.
• RGU (Robert Gordon University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStephanie Morrison, occupational therapist and lecturer in public health and health promotion at RGU, is honorary member of Runforever. University provides academic collaboration, student involvement, and research support.
• Citymoves Dance AgencykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAberdeen dance organisation collaborating on Healing Arts Scotland events and the 'Through the thickness' artistic project with Claire Pencak and Merav Israel.
• Fife CollegesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaborating to deliver the running club through education within the prison and offer jog leader training courses for prisoners to qualify as mentors.
• To Absent FriendskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival supporting conversation about death, dying, and grief. The Silent Run memorial events are included in To Absent Friends Festival 2024 and 2025.
• BambinisenzasbarrehistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian NGO that collaborated with Paolo Maccagno on the first prison running project in Bollate, Milan (2013-2014). Focus on connecting parents inside prison with children outside.
• GLGDGG (Good Life Good Death Good Grief)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork providing EASE (End of life aid skills for everyone) training and collaboration on death-related programming. Supports The Silent Run events.
• SUPN (Scottish University Prison Network)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork connecting Scottish universities working on prison-related research and education. Runforever participates in workshops and academic discussions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Parkrun: Global volunteer-led community running events held weekly in parks, free of charge. Highly comparable to Runforever in combining community-building, health, and free participation, but operates at vastly greater scale and in non-prison settings.
• Mind: Major UK mental health charity with sport-and-wellbeing programmes. Comparable mental health and physical activity integration for vulnerable groups, though Mind operates at national scale and Mind does not focus specifically on prison populations.
• Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH): Scotland's national mental health charity operating programmes and policy advocacy. Comparable mental-health-and-recovery mission for vulnerable Scottish populations at significantly greater scale and statutory reach.

Others

• International Feldenkrais Federation: Global umbrella for Feldenkrais practitioners and training. Comparable Feldenkrais methodology and teacher-training infrastructure; relevant as a practitioner ecosystem peer rather than a direct service competitor.

Direct peers

• User Voice: Charity that empowers prisoners and ex-prisoners to influence prison reform. Comparable prisoner-centric rehabilitation and reoffending-prevention mission with UK-wide policy engagement.
• Recoop: Specialist charity working with ex-offenders and their families, promoting resettlement through a range of activities. Directly comparable target population (prisoners and ex-prisoners) and rehabilitation mission.
• Families Outside: Edinburgh-based charity supporting families of people in prison. Already a Runforever core partner, but also operates comparable Scotland-based programmes for prisoner reintegration and family reunification.
• Jog Scotland: Scottish jogging network affiliated to scottishathletics, providing jogging groups and jog leader training across Scotland. Directly comparable running-community infrastructure; founder Maccagno is a qualified Jog Scotland leader.
• Hampton Trust: Charity working with offenders, victims, and families to reduce reoffending. Comparable rehabilitation-through-engagement mission targeting the same prison and post-release populations in the UK.
• Sport in Mind: UK charity using sport and physical activity to improve the mental health of people with mental health problems. Directly comparable to Runforever's integration of running and mental wellbeing for vulnerable populations, though without the Feldenkrais somatic layer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/61555521434853

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Runforever