Participants in the Beat the Street walking competition taking place in Heston, Cranford and Feltham have clocked up the equivalent distance to Tokyo in the initiative’s first week.
The challenge, which has been funded by the European Union Switch and Hounslow Council, supports healthier lifestyles and helps communities to be more physically active.
More than 7,250 people have registered to play Beat the Street Hounslow and have collectively walked more than 12,700 miles.
A launch event and guided walk was held at Hanworth Airpark to show people how to play Beat the Street. Alongside the Beat the Street walk led by Get Active Hounslow, there was a time rowing and static cycling challenge, table tennis and Dr Bike was on hand to carry out free safety checks on bikes.
Councillor Ed Mayne, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Leisure, said: “Congratulations to everyone who is taking part in Beat the Street. We’re delighted with the positive response to Beat the Street with lots of people out tapping and watching the miles clock up. There’s still plenty of time to get involved. It’s free to take part and open to anyone – individuals, schools, workplaces, community groups and families of any age and any level of fitness.”
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. Schoolchildren have received cards and information packs via their school but there will be a spare card for a parent, so please sign up and get involved!”
An analysis of last year’s scheme in Hounslow indicated 80% of participants felt that Beat the Street helped them to be more active with 74% saying they benefited from feeling healthier and 54% from getting out more. ‘Feeling part of the community’ was also a top-rated benefit.
Local organisations are getting behind the initiative through events to support people walking and cycling in the area. For example Get Active Hounslow is running a spooky Halloween family walk during half term and schools have set up breakfast clubs with health food for after early morning Beat the Street team walks.
