A team step challenge can be just the boost we need to get moving at work and the Big Team Challenge proved exactly that. It was a fun, friendly way to get moving, connect with colleagues, and maybe even spark a little healthy competition along the way! This May, 408 participants from across Essex joined the Miles to Marrakesh team step challenge. A virtual journey that encouraged teams to get moving, stay connected, and have a little fun whilst doing so.
By turning physical activity into a shared team challenge, gamification helps people stay engaged. It is all about taking the fun and engaging elements of games, such as leaderboards, points and rewards, and applying them to everyday activities. You’ve probably seen examples of gamification before in activities like Pokémon Go, Street Tag and Beat the Street. These kinds of challenges show how gamification can make movement more exciting, social and rewarding.
Evidently, in the Miles to Marrakesh step challenge, gamification meant turning physical activity into an adventure. Teams were able to track their steps, unlock milestones and see how they ranked against others on a leaderboard. The challenge made every step count, literally and figuratively.
This year’s Miles to Marrakesh challenge was huge, with teams starting virtually in Madrid and finishing in Marrakesh. Teams collectively covered a massive 2,054,569 steps; that’s 875.5 miles, passing through 10 virtual cities along the way.
Here’s a quick outline of what was achieved:
- 59 teams took part
- 408 participants got moving
- Those that took part walked the equivalent of 1.78 times around the world
- The average daily mileage? A solid 1,709.2 miles across all teams combined!
And the best part? It wasn’t just about walking. People logged steps from all kinds of activities like dancing, gardening, swimming, cycling, and more. That’s the beauty of a team step challenge, everyone can contribute in their own way. No matter how they choose to move! That’s what this was all about! Also, thanks to fitness trackers like Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin, everyone could join in and track their steps easily.
What was great to see throughout the challenge was the team spirit amongst the participants. We loved to see how this challenge played out and how involved everyone was. Especially, right up until the final day the top three teams were neck and neck, swapping places on the leaderboard and keeping everyone on their toes.
“It was certainly a very close-run challenge, with the top three teams vying for the top slot right up until the end. Thank you again for funding such a popular activity, it’s been fantastic to see so many people getting involved and getting active.” – Lyn Mowforth, Working Well Manager
Nevertheless, there had to be a winner, so a huge congratulations to our champions, The Young and the Breathless (Provide). They just edged ahead to take the top spot! Also, a hats off to Venues BDC (Braintree District Council) for a fantastic and competitive second-place finish.
There were two great outcomes from taking part in this team step challenge; the first to get everyone moving and enjoying themselves and the second being able to help the planet. As part of the challenge, 40 trees will be planted, creating a lasting, green celebration from everyone’s hard work. It’s a great reminder that small steps can lead to substantial impact, both for us and the environment.
Gamification initiatives like the Big Team Challenge show just how great a little fun and friendly competition can be. By turning physical activity into a team-based game, people feel more motivated to move, more connected to their colleagues, and are more likely to find healthy ways of movement that will last!
However, it’s not just about the steps, it’s about the smiles, the support, and the sense of achievement that comes from working toward a shared goal. Challenges like this show how a team step challenge can improve wellbeing, bring people together and be a lot more enjoyable for everyone.
