Running as a Symbol
James Smith
During my primary care placement, I met a man living with long‑term heart problems who is now in permanent atrial fibrillation. Over ten years he had undergone many treatments, and he spoke very openly about how his condition has reshaped his life. Before his treatment he was an avid runner and cyclist and now feels anxious even about climbing the stairs too quickly. This loss of confidence has greatly restricted his freedom and affected his wellbeing, forcing him to find new ways of coping.
His story had a strong impact on me. As someone who values running and regular exercise, I found it easy to empathise with the part of his life he had lost. It made me reflect on how closely physical and mental health are connected, and how challenging I would find similar limitations. This experience influenced my choice to use running as a central symbol in my Strava art.
For me, running represents prevention, resilience, and taking charge of your own health.
Fourth place prizewinner, Effective Consulting Creative Assignment, Year One, 2025/26
I think that “Running as a Symbol” is quite a thought-provoking art piece. It ties together a universally identifiable activity like running, with an equally recognisable medical symbol, the ECG. The artwork conveys a deep sense of empathy, bridging the experiences of the creator and the patients by exploring a passion for running, using that to highlight how one’s life and passion can be affected by their health. The piece invites a holistic perspective linking both mental and physical health and highlighting the importance of prevention rather than treatment
The small things in life stand out the most when they’re gone and I like how your project captures this. From Richard Williamson’s framework of ‘The Three N’s’ of art, this piece has novelty being a physical impression on the landscape using your digital footprints, there is nuance with the above average pace maintained throughout demonstrating the creator’s love of the running craft, and finally there is narrative; every day we take what we love for granted (especially our health). This piece inspires me to actively pay attention to the small details of life and keep running forward to the future. Living isn’t a sprint it’s a marathon (as many teachers also say about revision).