Residents in Musselburgh and Preston, Seton, Gosford areas are being encouraged to pick up a card and join in the Beat the Street challenge that kicked off today.
We’ve already seen lots of excitement ahead of the game kicking off with primary schools ready to compete to see who can walk, run, scoot or cycle the furthest.
Running from 11 September until 23 October, Beat the Street challenges schools, workplaces and community groups to see how far they can walk, run or cycle over six weeks in return for points and prizes.
Players tap contactless cards or key fobs against Beat Boxes on lampposts to track their journey and earn points for their team. At the end of the game, the teams that top the leaderboards can win hundreds of pounds worth of prizes.
Cards and maps needed to join the game are now available to pick up for free in distribution points across Musselburgh, Wallyford, Whitecraig, Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, and Longniddry.
Participants can pick up cards at First Step Community Project, Longniddry Library, Musselburgh Library, Port Seton Library, Prestonpans Library and Wallyford Library.
Additionally, primary schools will be handing out key fobs, cards and maps to families so that they can play and join their school team now that the game is up and running.
Workplaces, community groups and sports clubs are also being encouraged to enter a team into the competition – there is no cost to participate, just email the team, pick up a card, register online and get tapping. If you don’t have a school or workplace team, you can nominate a charity team. Players can choose from Walk with Scott, an East Lothian-based foundation that aims to promote health and well-being through walking; Changes, a community health project promoting well-being in East Lothian; Cycling Without Age, a movement with a Musselburgh chapter, who help people with limited mobility to enjoy free bike rides; and Beach Wheelchairs, a local charity that makes beaches accessible for everyone.
Beat the Street is delivered by Intelligent Health on behalf of East Lothian Council with funding from the Scottish Government’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places and the Musselburgh and Preston, Seton, Gosford Area Partnerships.
East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Councillor Norman Hampshire, said: “We’ve already seen lots of excitement ahead of the game kicking off with primary schools ready to compete to see who can walk, run, scoot or cycle the furthest. There are also lots of workplaces and teams signing up to play so if you fancy trying out a new, fun way to get active then why not sign up for the game?”
Visit the website to find out more about how to play and follow the action on social media.