Beat the Streets attracts thousands of players
OVER 2,800 people have signed up to a physical activity game which launched in the south of Charnwood earlier this month.
Beat the Street encourages people to get outside and active and works by turning an area into a real-life game. Participants visit ‘Beat Boxes’ around the area and their journeys are recorded.
So far, more than 7,000 miles have been covered by players across Birstall, Thurmaston and Syston.
The game runs until November 3 so there is still time to join in. It has been organised by Charnwood Borough Council’s sport and physical activity team Active Charnwood, working in partnership with Active Together and the South Charnwood School Sport and Physical Activity Network.
Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, the council’s lead member for community support, said: “It is great to see so many residents getting excited about Beat the Street. It’s a fantastic way for people to get active and explore their local communities.
“Being active and getting outdoors is not just important for our physical health but also our mental wellbeing. Beat the Street really helps people do that in a safe way.
“It’s free to play and is available to people of all ages and abilities. The game has had a positive reaction since its launch and there’s still plenty of time for people to get involved and start playing!”
The project is being funded through a National Lottery grant from Sport England.
Beat the Street is open to anyone of any age. Players walk, run, cycle, scoot, or roll between the 30 Beat Boxes which are spaced half a mile apart – hovering their fobs or cards as they go. The further players travel, the more points they score.
Players can join a school, sports club, or workplace. They can also set up their own team with a minimum of six players.
There are several prizes up for grabs, with the three schools who earn the most points, getting vouchers.
Nine primary schools and two charities have signed up to the south Charnwood game, and have been provided with fobs, while parents and teachers have received cards to accompany children. These are still available to pick up from distribution points listed on the website: https://www.beatthestreet.me/southcharnwood/
The scheme was officially launched at Hallam Fields Primary School in Birstall, where Cllr Harper-Davies and Deputy Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Jenni Tillotson met excited pupils ahead of the game.
Cllr Tillotson said: “It was fantastic to see the school children be so enthusiastic at Hallam Fields about Beat the Street and I was delighted to meet them.
“We have seen such a positive reaction since the game launched and I can’t wait to see how many people get involved and how much distance is covered.”
You can view the progress that your team or school is making on the online leaderboard: https://www.beatthestreet.me/southcharnwood/leaderboards/