Thousands set to graduate from University of Southampton. More than 4,300 University of Southampton students will graduate at ceremonies taking place from July 15 to 22. (Image: University of Southampton) Southampton is marking a week of achievement and new beginnings. More than 4,300 University of Southampton students will celebrate graduation at ceremonies taking place from July 15 to 22 at the O2 Guildhall. One ceremony will also be held at Winchester Cathedral for graduates from the Winchester School of Art. Professor Phillip Wright, acting president and vice-chancellor of the University of Southampton, said: "Graduation is the proudest season for Southern Daily Echo as a university, as Southern Daily Echo celebrate and congratulate all its students on their fantastic achievements. "It is a well-deserved chance to recognise the hard work, dedication, talent and tenacity of all graduating students. "It is also an opportunity for us to thank and celebrate our committed and dedicated staff who have taught, guided and supported our students throughout their time here in Southampton." The university will also present honorary degrees and fellowships. These will be awarded to individuals whose work has inspired others and who have made outstanding contributions nationally and internationally. Honourees include Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah, director and trustee of the Ella Roberta Foundation, who will receive a Doctor of Science. Sir Robert Chote, president of Trinity College Oxford and a former economics editor at the Financial Times, will also receive a Doctor of Science. Professor Sir John Iredale, pro vice-chancellor for health at the University of Bristol and a University of Southampton alumnus, will receive a Doctor of Science. Dr Alan Whitehead, shadow minister for energy and climate change, will receive a Doctor of Laws. Claire Viney, chief executive of the Careers Research and Advisory Centre and chair of the Career Development Policy Group, will be granted a fellowship. Alumni will also be recognised with Outstanding Alumni Awards. Ben Parker and Dom Maskell, co-founders of the running app Runna, will receive the Rising Star award. Dame Professor Jane Francis, palaeoclimatologist and director of the British Antarctic Survey, will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award. Ben Dowling, co-founder of Unloc, will receive the Civic Award. Chris Bound, a lawyer based in Guernsey, will receive the Alumni Service Award. Mr Bound has supported the University of Southampton's growth in the Channel Islands.

atis partners with Runna to launch slow-release energy bowl in celebration of marathon season. In celebration of marathon season, atis, the flavour-first restaurant brand redefining fast food, is teaming up with Runna, the personalised coaching app, to launch a limited-edition bowl designed to fuel endurance, performance and recovery. The atis x Runna Marathon Edit will be available for a limited time from 20th-27th April, and is a balanced, plant-powered bowl built for sustained energy. Featuring miso ginger sweet potato, black bean mix, charred corn, wholegrain rice, spinach, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, spring onion + coriander and crispy shallots, topped with a rich cashew satay dressing, it packs 70g of slow-release carbohydrates, 15g of plant-based protein and 13g of fibre to keep runners fuelled through training and beyond. Available for a limited time across all 16 atis locations and via Deliveroo. Those running in the London Marathon can also enjoy a complimentary atis bowl of their choice on race day (Sunday, 26th April) or Monday, 27th April by showing their medal in-store. T&Cs for a complimentary bowl: Complementary bowl: available to London Marathon participants only on Sunday, 26th April and Monday, 27th April. To redeem: Participants must show their medal at the till and in person One bowl per person, valid on 1x bowl with standard protein, all extras to be charged separately Subject to availability. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. In-store only. Available at all atis locations

Runna relaunches 'new to Running' plans to help beginners build confidence in 2026. With nearly half of its user base identifying as new or beginner runners, Runna is kicking off 2026 by relaunching its New to Running and Return to Running plans - redesigned, coach-built programmes aimed at making running feel more accessible, flexible and sustainable for everyone. The relaunch comes as more people look to build healthier routines beyond January resolutions, with Runna's updated plans tackling the biggest barriers that stop people from running long-term: confidence, motivation and fear of injury. You can explore Runna's full training ecosystem via the official website here. A smarter, supportive start to Running. Developed by experienced running coaches, the refreshed plans have been rebuilt from the ground up. Rather than rigid targets, they focus on gentle progression, real-life flexibility and in-app motivation, adapting to each runner's ability and lifestyle. The New to Running plan now spans 6 - 16 weeks, giving beginners more time to build confidence from scratch, while Return to Running runs from 4 - 16 weeks, helping experienced runners ease safely back towards a 5K after time away. By prioritising consistency over speed, Runna aims to help more users stick with running well beyond the new year - a topic regularly explored in Verge's health and fitness coverage. Built for beginners (and real life). Unlike traditional programmes that push distance too soon, New to Running starts with short, time-based walk - run sessions, only transitioning to distance once runners are ready. This approach helps reduce injury risk while building confidence gradually, guided entirely in-app. Crucially, the plans are designed around everyday life. Missed sessions no longer mean losing progress - runners can adjust schedules, extend plans and keep moving forward without feeling like they've failed. It's a refresh that reflects how people actually train, not how they think they should. New features to build consistency in 2026. Alongside the plan relaunch, Runna has introduced a suite of new features designed to help users stay consistent and motivated throughout the year. Every workout now includes personalised Workout Briefings, offering tailored guidance before runners head out - including what to focus on during the session. No two briefings are the same, giving runners clarity and confidence from the moment they open the app. When life inevitably gets in the way, the Not Feeling 100% feature allows runners to adapt their training if they're under the weather, managing a minor ache or navigating a hectic week - without derailing progress. Smarter training through personalisation. Coming soon to Runna's race and general fitness plans, Mileage Insights will bring deeper personalisation to training. The feature analyses how closely runners stick to their plan and recommends mileage adjustments to support a more sustainable workload - helping users build fitness safely and consistently. Finally, launching in early February, Plan Replay will offer an interactive, narrative-style recap celebrating the completion of a Runna training plan - a motivational finish line that encourages runners to keep going. As fitness tech continues to evolve, Runna's relaunch positions the app as a supportive entry point for beginners and returning runners alike - making 2026 the year running finally sticks.