People that live, work and play in East Northants are being invited to join in with the district’s largest game this spring.
Thousands of residents will compete to see if their school, community group or workplace can walk, run, scoot, or cycle the furthest by entering the free ‘Beat the Street’ challenge that will take place from 27 March to 8 May.
More than 50 special sensors called ‘Beat Boxes’ will appear from Rushden to Thrapston. Players tap the Beat Boxes with cards and fobs to track their journey and earn points for themselves and their team – the more Beat Boxes people swipe during a journey, the more points they earn.
Schools and community groups will be competing against each other to see if they can travel the furthest, climb the leaderboards and win prizes including sports, crafts and book vouchers.
Families are encouraged to play for their local school while the wider community can create their own teams by emailing team.eastnorthants@beatthestreet.me.
In addition to the leaderboard prizes, registered players can also win weekly ‘Lucky Tap’ prizes for playing along – including vouchers and experience days.
Beat the Street is being delivered by Intelligent Health and is funded by The National Lottery on behalf of Sport England, and East Northamptonshire Council in partnership with Freedom Leisure, which manage leisure facilities across the district on behalf of the council.
Chairman of East Northamptonshire Council, Wendy Brackenbury, said:
“We are excited to be bringing Beat the Street to East Northamptonshire and we look forward to seeing how far everyone is able to walk, run, cycle and scoot during the challenge.
“People of all ages and abilities are able to get involved in Beat the Street – it’s completely free to play and is a great opportunity to go outdoors, spend time with your friends and family and get moving. Watch out for Beat Boxes appearing on a street near you!”
James MacWilliam, Chair of the Trustee of East Northants Cultural Trust which worked with the council to manage their leisure facilities for thirteen years, said: “We are particularly pleased to be able provide funding towards the ‘Beat the Street’ event which engages with so many local primary schools in such an innovative and fun way. The drive to get youngsters out and enjoying exercise is a brilliant initiative and we wish it long and vigorous success!”
Want to find out more about Beat the Street? Visit www.beatthestreet.me/ for more information.