Scottish charity launches fun walking challenge for colleagues

colleagues walking
Paths for All has launched a challenge to get colleagues walking more (Image credit: Getty Images)

Scottish charity Paths for All is calling for teams of workmates to join an eight-week Step Count Challenge.

Starting on May 3, colleagues will come together to motivate each other to be more active – and compete with other teams for a place on a country-wide leaderboard.

Using a revamped Step Count Challenge website, staff teams of five people can log steps, sync fitness trackers, message teammates and chart their progress on the leaderboard.

Last year, the Step Count Challenge saw 930 teams from workplaces large and small rack up more than 1.1 billion steps collectively. That totals more than half a million miles.

Staff can join the challenge whether they are office based or working from home. 

Walking for Health Manager at Paths for All, Frances Bain, says:  "After a long winter and a difficult and stressful year, our challenge is a chance for colleagues to come together as a virtual team and be motivated to go outdoors, walk more and feel good.

"Working life, like many other things, may still look and feel different, but there’s lots of opportunities to factor walking and activity into your day, from lunchtime walks and phone meetings on the move to online workouts, using the car less often and enjoying 10-minute activity bursts during breaks via Zoom or Teams chats.

"We hope as many workplaces as possible will get a team together to walk more." 

colleagues walk and talk

'Walk and talk' for Step Count Challenge (Image credit: Getty Images)

Steps Count Challenge benefits 

A survey after last year’s challenge showed more than 90% of respondents felt the motivation and support of their team enabled them to cope better with Covid-19 and lockdown.

The charity also worked with the University of Edinburgh to assess the impact of the challenge, surveying several hundred people and finding “statistically significant” changes in the happiness and life satisfaction of participants.

People joining the Step Count Challenge will be motivated to reach and exceed goals throughout the eight weeks through a series of blogs, tips, fun competitions. Teams will be every team will be entered into prize draws worth hundreds of pounds each week.

Visit www.stepcount.org.uk to register a team for £30 or to find out more.

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Fiona Russell
Outdoor writer

Fiona Russell is a widely published adventure journalist and blogger, better known as Fiona Outdoors. She is based in Scotland and is an all-round outdoors enthusiast with favorite activities including trail running, mountain walking, mountain biking, road cycling, triathlon and skiing (both downhill and backcountry). Aside from her own adventures, Fiona's biggest aim is to inspire others to enjoy getting outside and exploring, especially through her writing. She is also rarely seen without a running skort! Find out more at Fiona Outdoors.