Thousands of Sudbury and Great Cornard residents are expected to take part in a community-wide game that encourages people to get active by walking, running and cycling as far as possible in return for points and prizes.

Beat the Street is a unique competition that challenges local residents of all ages to see how far they can collectively travel in just six weeks. Running from 21 September to 2 November, Beat the Street is a free, fun initiative that will transform Sudbury and Great Cornard into a real-life game.

To get involved, local residents can pick up a Beat the Street card at a library, leisure centre or GP surgery near them within the next few weeks. Almost 50 ‘Beat Boxes’ will be placed on lampposts across Sudbury and Great Cornard which residents are encouraged to tap with their card as they walk or cycle past them – in return they will receive points which can help their team win some amazing prizes. 

Beat the Street Sudbury and Great Cornard is an initiative run by Intelligent Health in partnership with Suffolk County Council. Taking place during Suffolk’s Year of Walking, Beat the Street is designed to inspire whole communities to get moving. Tens of thousands of people have already taken part in Beat the Street in other towns and cities across the UK.

Thousands of residents from schools, businesses and community groups are predicted to take part in the initiative and will be competing against each other to see who can travel the furthest and win up to £500 worth of Decathlon vouchers.

Prizes will be given out to the top teams on two leaderboards – total distance travelled and highest average distance. £500, £250 and £100 worth of sports and fitness equipment supplied by Decathlon will be given to the teams in top three places on both leaderboards. Additionally, individuals are in with the chance to win a ‘Lucky Tap’ Prize of £25 worth of sports and fitness equipment supplied by Decathlon which will be rewarded to two random active players each week.

Organisers behind Beat the Street are calling on people to set up their own teams with friends, colleagues or even neighbours and get involved. Cllr Tony Goldson, Cabinet Member for Health at Suffolk County Council said “Beat the Street is a fun and free way to improve your health so it is no wonder that thousands of people in Sudbury & Great Cornard are expected to take part.

“Whether you want to play as part of a team or by yourself, make sure to pick yourself up a card, get involved and help Suffolk take another step towards becoming the most active county in England.”

To find out more information about Beat the Street. Visit beatthestreet.me/SGC or follow Beat the Street on Twitter (@BTSSGC) or like Beat the Street SGC on Facebook.