The sun was out, the bells were ringing, and trainers were laced up as Colchester officially launched Beat the Street, the giant physical activity game that turns the entire city into a massive leaderboard.
A buzzing crowd gathered outside Colchester Castle yesterday to witness the start of a six-week adventure. The atmosphere was electric, filled with local students, community and charity leaders and residents, ready to ditch the sofa for some fresh air and excited competition.
The festivities began with a flourish as the Town Crier rang his bell and read from an official scroll to announce the game’s arrival to the masses. Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Michael Lilley, followed with a warm welcoming speech, highlighting the city's incredible community spirit and the importance of staying active.
The crowd also heard from Dr. William Bird, founder of Intelligent Health, who spoke about the magic of getting outside and moving together as a community. Then came the big moment everyone was waiting for: the ribbon was cut, the mascots paraded, the cheers went up, and the game was officially declared open. Local mental health advocate and runner Shawn Leek led a massive inaugural walk from the Castle grounds over to the historic Jumbo Water Tower.
The Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Michael Lilley said: “What makes Beat the Street so special is that it’s for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. It isn't about running marathons, it’s about having a laugh with friends and family while enjoying the fresh air and exploring Colchester’s hidden gems. I encourage every resident to join in—whether you’re scooting to school or taking a stroll—and help make Colchester more active and connected than ever.”
Already 8289 people have signed up to take part and have together clocked up 5,634 active travel miles. There’s still time to sign up as the game continues until Wednesday, 22 April. The competition rewards the teams who clock up the highest number of active travel miles, plus there is an individual leaderboard plus an average points leaderboard, so opportunities of teams of all sizes to win! Visit www.beatthestreet.me/colchester to check out the map, find your nearest Beat Box, and start your six-week health-boosting journey.