With Beat the Street getting underway in Wolverhampton tomorrow (Wednesday 24 February, 2016), community groups and businesses are being encouraged to form teams for the walking, running and cycling challenge.

Type=image;ImageID=9068;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Woodthorne Primary School pupils checking out the map;TitleClass=strong;

Type=image;ImageID=9069;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Pupil Lily O'Donovan with her swipe card;TitleClass=strong;

Hundreds of individuals, families and more than 50 schools have already signed up to take part in the unique game - and now the call has gone out to community organisations and employers large and small to join in the fun.

In Beat the Street, players collect points for the distance they travel on foot or bike. Points are scored by travelling between special sensors called Beat Boxes, 200 of which have been erected on lampposts around Wolverhampton. Distances are recorded by swiping special Beat the Street cards which are available now, and there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs for those clocking up the most miles.

Councillor Sandra Samuels, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "Beat the Street is a great motivator to get people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles to become more active.

"It brings together the whole community and makes physical activity fun. It's open to everyone, so why not have a chat with your work colleagues or friends and create a team?

"As well as the chance to get a little bit fitter, there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs - including a share of £5,000 worth of goodies for the teams that travel the furthest.

"So get your team together, pick up your Beat the Street cards and sign up today."

Beat the Street takes place across Wolverhampton from tomorrow (Wednesday 24 February, 2016) until Wednesday 13 April, 2016. To play, please pick up a Beat the Street card from a range of venues, including local libraries, leisure centres, community centres and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, and register online at Type=links;Linkid=6912;Title=Beat the Street;Target=_blank;

Players can monitor their progress on line, and top scorers - including teams and individuals - will be in the running for some great prizes. There will also be regular "lucky tap" prizes which people can be in line to win simply by tapping their card against a Beat Box.

Anyone interested in taking part in Beat the Street should click onto Type=links;Linkid=6912;Title=Beat the Street;Target=_blank;, visit the Type=links;Linkid=6828;Title=Facebook page;Target=_blank; or follow Beat the Street on Type=links;Linkid=6829;Title=Twitter;Target=_blank;. Teams should be of 25 people or more.

Beat the Street is run by Intelligent Health and founder Dr William Bird said: "We want to see adults and children across Wolverhampton getting involved and really enjoying the game.

"Whether you're an individual, a business, a voluntary organisation or a team, there are great prizes to be won and the incentive of getting more active."

  • released: Tuesday 23 February, 2016