The hard work, determination, and community spirit of Colchester's residents were placed firmly in the spotlight on 5 June, as the top teams and individuals from the Beat the Street game gathered at Firstsite for a special award presentation event.
School leaderboard award presentation
An award ceremony for schools took place in the morning, opened by the Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Andrew Ellis, who delivered an inspirational speech to attendees.
Cllr Andrew Ellis, the Mayor of Colchester, said: “Beat the Street is about much more than points, prizes, and leaderboards. It's about children enjoying fresh air and exercise. It's about families spending quality time together and it's about building confidence, improving wellbeing, and creating healthier habits that we hope will last a lifetime.”
Following the Mayor's address, special guest and Colchester’s Invictus Games gold medallist, Wali Noori shared his inspiring story of resilience and triumph to motivate the next generation of local athletes.
Creativity and community involvement
Alongside the award presentation, a "Love Colchester" exhibition showcased the story of the Beat the Street initiative through poetry, photos, videos, and sculptures created by participants. A Legacy Market and evening festival also highlighted the vibrant range of community groups, health and wellbeing initiatives, and sports and leisure services available across the city, with live music, dancing, and choir performances.
The evening award presentation wrapped up the celebrations for the leaderboard-topping individuals, community groups, running groups, and local charities who went above and beyond to stay active. A standout highlight of the night was celebrating the top-performing teams who truly embodied the spirit of the game. With smiles all around, it was clear to see how this initiative successfully brought the community together to embrace a fun, active lifestyle.
Building a legacy
Following on from Beat the Street and helping continue the momentum around staying active locally, residents can download Simmply Active, a free app designed to keep people moving and motivated by rewarding everyday activity in a fun and accessible way. Find out more at https://www.simmplyactive.com/simmply-active-app.
Pictured above: Overall Winners of Beat the Street Colchester 2026, Kendall Primary School, photographed with Athelte, Wali Noori; Mayor of Colchester, Andrew Ellis, and Director of Intelligent Health, Katherine Knight.