BEAT THE STREET IS RETURNING TO SOUTH DERBYSHIRE FROM 15 MAY – WALK, CYCLE AND RUN FOR PRIZES!

Beat the Street is back!

The popular physical activity competition Beat the Street is set to return to the area after 6,367 people took part in Beat the Street Swadlincote last year. The game transformed the town into a real-life walking, cycling and running competition for six weeks in 2023. This time around, the game is expanding and will take place across the whole of South Derbyshire - and has been given an exciting 50th anniversary dimension.

Beat the Street is a free, interactive game that encourages people of all ages to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives by rewarding teams with points and prizes the further they travel. Once again, beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes will be placed around the District with participants invited to score points on journeys between them with a free game card. Alternatively, players over the age of 13 can download the free Beat the Street app to play the game with their phone.

As well as the usual prizes, as part of marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of South Derbyshire District Council, teams this year will be awarded with trees, with the aim of creating commemorative community woodlands around the District.

Beat the Street South Derbyshire has been commissioned by South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC). It is funded by South Derbyshire District Council, the National Forest Company, South Derbyshire Active Schools Partnership and the National Lottery via Sport England. It is being delivered by Intelligent Health.

SDDC Head of Cultural and Community Services Sean McBurney said: "We are delighted to bring back Beat the Street again, only this time, it will cover a bigger area! There was so much positive feedback from last year's game and really encourages communities to move more and to make small lifestyle changes, such as walking or cycling to school or work every day.

"The anniversary element makes it even more special this time. The competitive element of the game really helps people to get involved, go one step further and really work together to walk, cycle, run and scoot for points! The game is open to anyone of any age, and it's free to take part, so please spread the word and sign up your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and let's see if we can go further than last year's tally of 50,187 active travel miles!"

Beat the Street was created by GP Dr William Bird MBE - a specialist in physical activity, to encourage people to explore their local areas and to make exercise fun, and it has been played by more than 1.8m people in 168 locations in the UK.

As well as making a significant impact on increasing low levels of physical activity amongst adults and children, the game also helps reduce congestion, improves air quality, and helps families spend time in green spaces together – some participants report that it even helps with maths and map-reading! It was recently described by a community leader as: "Beat the Street is testament to the power of community engagement, physical activity, and the love for the great outdoors.

"The Beat the Street programme is not just any initiative; it is a remarkable endeavour that focuses on encouraging and empowering everyone in our community to get active and spend time in nature for the benefit of their mental and physical health."

The game is open to anyone of any age who would like to take part and takes place across the whole district from Wednesday, 15th May until Wednesday, 26th June. Children use a card and map which will be provided by participating primary schools, and adults can pick up a free card from one of the distribution points listed on the Beat the Street South Derbyshire website which will go live shortly at www.beatthestreet.me/southderbyshire

Players can join a school, community, workplace team and there are prizes for the teams that travel the furthest with vouchers for books and sports equipment as well as the trees on offer. With an individual leaderboard, lucky 'spot' prizes just for taking part, and the opportunity to help selected local charities win cash prizes, there's something for everyone. For schools and community teams, there is a total points leaderboard and an average leaderboard, so opportunities for teams of all sizes to win prizes.

Once the game is underway, players find their nearest "Beat Box" which will appear on lampposts around the borough. There will be more than 140 of these sensors that record each player's point tally. These sensors are contactless so that you don't need to touch them – simply hover your card over the Beat Box and it will beep and flash to record your points.  

Visit two Beat Boxes within an hour and collect 10 points for each Beat Box, then keep going!

More information will be available at www.beatthestreet.me/southderbyshire and on social media at @BTSSouthDerbyshire