Thousands of walkers, runners and cyclists have been pounding the streets of Dumfries as a new walking initiative has kicked off. In the first day alone, 4000 doonhamers were out, tapping boxes across the town.
Beat the Street, which launched on Wednesday, is a six-week community campaign encouraging adults and children to put down the car keys and take to the pavements in a bid to get moving.
The town has been a hive of activity this week as participants of all ages have been walking, running, cycling, scooting, skating and skipping between locations.
Councillor Ronnie Nicholson, who is Chairman of Nithsdale Area Committee, said: “Beat the Street is an exercise challenge which aims to get the whole community involved. The main aim is increasing physical activity levels whilst still being fun.
I am excited to have Beat the Street in Dumfries. I want to see our pavements, parks and cycle paths filled with individuals and families all walking, cycling and scooting their way around the boxes in and around the town.For me, the best thing about Beat the Street is that it can be played by everyone. It’s not about walking around all of the boxes – it’s about everyone getting out and putting the car keys down. Even if you tap just a few boxes when you are going to the shops or walking to school, all those points add up!
I’ve already got my card and am signed up so I look forward to meeting other people taking part in the challenge as I walk around Dumfries.”
Players register their movement during the real-life walking game by tapping a card or fob on any of the 47 ‘beat boxes’ placed around Dumfries.
Boxes flash and beep to register activity, and tapping at least two within one hour records the journey.
The initiative is free to take part and players can still register their Beat the Street card online to get started. Everyone taking part will be able to track their own movements, see how many miles they have done, watch the communities’ progress l, find out where boxes are located and send pictures and tweets when they are out and about. All primary school children have been given fobs to take part in the challenge.
Everyone taking part can track their movements, see how many miles they’ve done, watch the community’s progress in reaching the final goal, find out where boxes are located and send pictures and tweets when they are out and about.
Funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council in an effort to promote healthier lifestyles and active travel, it is the third time it has been run in Scotland.
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