A new game to get people in Hounslow to ditch their car to walk or cycle has seen players travel the equivalent distance from London to Tokyo in the first week of the challenge.
Beat the Street , aimed at getting people to lead healthier lifestyles, has seen participants from Heston , Cranford and Feltham , clock up more than 9,000 miles in the battle of the fittest neighbourhood.
More than 7,250 people have registered to take part in the journey around the world game, with players at St Lawrence's RC Primary School in Feltham topping the leaderboard having travelled 1,200 miles.
The launch event was held at Hanworth Airpark on Saturday (Oct 17) where people were issued with special cards used to record their journeys by swiping in and out at 66 'Beat Boxes' fitted to lamposts, much like an Oystercard, but with miles travelled winning prizes.
Councillor Ed Mayne, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Leisure, said: “I’m delighted to see so many people enjoying Beat the Street and clocking up the miles and winning prizes. There’s still plenty of time to get involved and the beauty is that it’s free to take part and open to anyone at any level of fitness. Congratulations to everyone who is taking part.”
Alongside the launch walk led by Get Active Hounslow, there was also a time rowing and static cycling challenge and Dr Bike was on hand to carry out free safety checks on bicycles.
The six-week contest will run until the end of November
Beat the Street project manager Suny Ravenscroft added: “We had a fun event on Saturday attended by lots of interested people who were all enthusiastic to find out more. With the clocks going back this weekend, there’s an extra hour in the day for you to play Beat the Street! This also means, of course, that the evenings will be darker earlier, so please make sure you’re visible and take care while out walking."
The challenge is funded by the European Union Switch and Hounslow council.
* Get Active Hounslow is running a spooky Halloween family walk starting at Hanworth Air Parks Leisure Centre from 3pm to 4pm on Friday October 30. This walk will cover five beat boxes around Hanworth Park and there are double points available for anyone who takes part.
