The Step Count Challenge is celebrating 10 years of getting Scotland’s workforce moving
A workplace walking challenge is celebrating a milestone anniversary by inviting teams to sign up for a special autumn of being more active.
The Step Count Challenge, a fun, feel-good team event from walking charity Paths for All, starts on 25 October and will see workmates across the country motivating each other to walk and move more in and around the working day for four weeks.
The first Step Count Challenge took place in 2011, and since then over 46,000 people in 9700 teams have taken part, collectively covering almost 10 million miles.
Now, to mark a decade of ditching the desk, those taking part in the autumn anniversary challenge will be treated to more chances to win prizes while NHS and emergency services staff with a Blue Light Card will be entitled to a sign-up discount.
And, as the challenge coincides with COP26, participants will have access to a new carbon calculator feature to track how making more everyday journeys on foot is protecting the planet.
Carl Greenwood, Paths for All’s senior development officer, said: “Walking outdoors on your own, with a workmate or as part of a team can give an almost instant boost to your health and wellbeing.
“The Step Count Challenge is a great way to re-connect socially with people you work with while also reaping the mental and physical benefits of getting away from the desk, moving more and getting outside in the fresh air.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re back in the office, at home, or a mix of both, you can still motivate each other to do things like lunchtime walks, standing work calls, or bursts of activity during coffee breaks.
“This 10th anniversary year is also a great time to get involved with the challenge, with more prizes and our first carbon calculator so you can see the impact leaving the car at home really has.
“We’ll be supporting all our registered teams throughout the challenge with tips, blogs, goals and prizes, so sign up today and let us help you feel happier and healthier this autumn.”
The Step Count Challenge runs twice a year, lasting eight weeks in the spring and four weeks in the autumn, and is open to all Scottish workplaces.
During the challenge, team members can sync fitness trackers to the Step Count Challenge’s website, message one another, and see their team’s progress on a nationwide leaderboard.
Activities like yoga, gardening and HIIT workouts can all be logged, as can journeys taken using a wheelchair.
Everyone who registers will be in with a chance of winning a luxury Scottish getaway and a host of other goodies from a range of independent businesses. To register your team of five for £30 for this autumn’s challenge, visit the website.
