IT is not too late to get involved in the popular Beat the Street game which is currently engaging nearly 13,000 people across Middlesbrough.

The game was created by a GP to address the UK’s low levels of physical activity and is a fun way of encouraging people to incorporate active travel, exercise and exploration into their lifestyles. The free game is open to anyone of any age or ability and invites people to walk, cycle, wheel, run and scoot as far as possible in six weeks in return for prizes.

Players in the Beat the Street Middlesbrough game can clock up double points on Beat Boxes around traditional commuting hours.

From today (Wednesday), this week is ‘Go Travel’ week where people are encouraged to think about walking or cycling to work or school rather than taking the car.

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Participants in Beat the Street Middlesbrough have already racked up 38,000 miles and more than 12,370 people have signed up to take part.

To play collect a card and map from one of the distribution points listed on the www.beatthestreet.me/middlesbrough.

There are total and average points leaderboards for schools, community teams and charities with vouchers for books and sports equipment to be won by the teams that travel the furthest. The teams with the most total and average points at the end of the game will win £300 book or sports vouchers.

Acklam Whin Primary School leads the total points leaderboard this week; their 664 players have collectively scored 153,480 points, with Green Lane Primary Academy in second place.

Their founder Pip, is a disability activist, advocate and blogger

She said: “Harrison and I love playing Beat the Street; it’s great to have such a fun activity right on our doorstep. Harrison loves exploring new areas and bumping into other people that are also playing the game! We even take out some gifts, wrapped up as random acts of kindness to make people smile! I’m so glad that Beat the Street is so accessible! I’ve just collected a pack of cards and maps from Acklam to deliver to others with disabilities who can’t get to a collection point.

“As a disability activist I promote inclusion and access at every possible opportunity. Many people with disabilities don’t feel welcome and often are not invited in general. Many people and children miss out when it comes to social gatherings, birthday parties which is we have set up the ‘We are ABLE’ team.

“Beat the Street doesn’t only get people exercising, it also gets people out in the fresh air, increases Vitamin D and helps with isolation. The number of people we bumped into today - complete strangers that stopped for a chat was lovely. Families helping each other, directing each other to the closest box. We even bumped into about 25 kids escorted by teachers that were out walking between Beat Boxes.”

Taking place until 10th November, Beat the Street is transforming Middlesbrough into a real-life game with players tapping special sensors called Beat Boxes which can be found across the town for the duration of the game.

Beat the Street is brought to you by Middlesbrough Council, with funding from the National Lottery via Sport England. It is delivered by Intelligent Health.

Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston said: “We are really enjoying seeing people getting out and playing the game. It’s great to see people of all ages making the most of the game while it’s here to help incorporate an hour of physical activity into their daily routines.”

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