AROUND 5,500 people are taking part in a local community health competition called ‘Beat the Street’. The program, run by Intelligent Health, encourages people to get outside and collectively walk, run and cycle as much as they can in order to improve their health and wellbeing.

While exercising, participants tap a Beat Box, which is like a sensor. Beat boxes have been installed on lampposts across the city; by tapping a beat box with their given cards and fobs participants receive points which aid their chosen community groups, schools or charities to win prizes.

There are currently 24 teams enrolled in the competition so far with local schools supporting the initiative by holding walks and cycle rides around Salford as well as encouraging students to try out some new activities.

Beat the Street in Media City

Jack Carney, from Salford Mets Athletics Club, said: “Beat the Street has really captured the imagination of our members at Salford Mets and they’ve all had great fun in meeting the challenge of getting around as many lamp posts as possible.

It’s a great way of engaging whole families in doing something together. This is an imaginative and fun way to encourage people to take up physical exercise and it is certainly making the citizens of Salford think twice about how to start and stay active.”

Lewis Street Primary School are currently holding the top prize position after clocking up more than 2,500 miles.

The winning school will receive £500 worth of sport and fitness equipment from Decathlon.

Lead member for health and wellbeing at Salford City Council, Cr Tracy Kelly says: “We have been incredibly impressed by the response to Beat the Street.

“It is lovely to see so many people getting behind the competition and becom[ing] more active… We’d encourage anyone who hasn’t taken part to get involved by picking up a card to go exploring to feel better and discover something new about Salford.”

The competition runs until 16 November 2016. To get involved, visit: www.beatthestreet.me/Salford

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