Spencer Matthews backs campaign as half of Brits use painkillers to work out

Ultra-runner Spencer Matthews is no stranger to pain, but he says runners shouldn't have to put up with aching knees.

The 37-year-old star, who set a world record by running 30 marathons in 30 days, is calling on the nation to get their knees "sponsored" ahead of this month's London Marathon.

Four in ten Brits are battling some form of injury, with knee pain joint-top of the list alongside lower back issues, according to new data from The Turmeric Co.

The research found that almost half of those who exercise (47%) rely on painkillers just to keep moving.

In response, the company has launched a new national campaign to support runners' recovery and resilience, stepping in as the unofficial "knee sponsor" of the nation ahead of marathon day.

Anyone who signs up can receive up to three months' worth of shots, each containing 35g of raw turmeric root, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Injury is not just an occasional twinge, but something holding people back in their everyday lives.

More than a quarter (28%) say pain or injury affects their day-to-day activities, while 21% admit they are training less often or at a lower intensity because of it, the research found.

A further fifth have had to stop exercising altogether for a period, and on average, runners estimate they lose around 3.6 hours of exercise every week as a direct result of pain or injury.

TV star and entrepreneur Spencer Matthews said, "I'm no stranger to serious injuries caused by running and once I started to prioritise the less obvious areas of performance I saw enormous improvements.

"But it's not just about performance - injuries can take a huge mental toll and dealing with constant pain can be completely debilitating.

"That's why this is something I feel so passionately about. If we can help runners look after their bodies better and avoid some of that pain, that's a win."

Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu, founder of The Turmeric Co., launched the business after his own battle with chronic knee issues.

He said, "I know first-hand what it's like to live with persistent pain and to wonder if your body will let you do what your mind is set on.

"Right now, one in three people are running regularly and we estimate roughly 3.5 million people in the UK are training for a big race.

"With nearly four in 10 of those who exercise pushing through some kind of pain or injury, we don't think that's acceptable.

"At The Turmeric Co., our mission is to create natural products that actually make a difference to recovery, so people don't feel they have to mask pain to stay active.

"By 'sponsoring' the nation's knees ahead of the London Marathon, we want to celebrate the resilience of runners, start an honest conversation about pain and injury, and show that there is a smarter, more natural way to look after your body."

The knee sponsorship scheme is available here, https://theturmeric.co/pages/sponsoring-knees-2026, offering up to three months' free functional shots to runners - featuring natural powerhouse ingredient turmeric to help reduce inflammation in joints.