5 Best walkathon challenges in the UK
Planning a virtual walkathon is a fantastic way to unite people for fitness, team bonding, and community support—regardless of location.
Whether your goal is to support a cause, encourage wellness, or simply create a fun challenge, a virtual walkathon can energise your team and bring a shared purpose.
With the rise of online platforms, these events are more accessible and engaging than ever. They allow participants to track progress, compete on leaderboards, and celebrate achievements.
Because sometimes it can be quite difficult to choose, here are the best virtual and physical walkathon challenges to inspire your team to move, connect, and make a meaningful impact.
Benefits of a walkathon for your teammates
Organising a walkathon is an opportunity to enhance team dynamics and individual well-being.
As your teams focus on physical activity together, this helps to promote health, strengthen team relationships and encourage an overall positive workplace culture.
Feeling tempted to participate in a walkathon? Here are a few benefits of a walkathon for your teammates:
Enhanced physical health
Participating in a walkathon encourages physical activity by getting people moving in a supportive environment.
Regular walking can help to improve cardiovascular health, increase stamina and enhance muscle strength. This benefits the workplace by helping maintain weight and reduce health-related issues.
Improved mental well-being
Physical activity is well-known for its benefits to mental health, particularly in reducing stress and anxiety.
A walkathon gives teammates a break from their usual routines, allowing them to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy the outdoors, which can be incredibly revitalising. This collective experience can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills as employees return to work with renewed focus and clarity.
Team Bonding
Shared experiences create lasting memories, and a walkathon is the perfect setting for teammates to connect on a deeper level. As colleagues participate in the walkathon together, they can engage in conversations, encourage one another, and celebrate their achievements.
Team bonding activities help build trust among teammates, making collaboration more effective and enjoyable. A survey by OfficeVibe found that 70% of employees who feel connected with their teammates also report high levels of job satisfaction, which significantly correlates with reduced turnover rates.
Increased motivation and productivity
The excitement and energy generated from preparing for and participating in a walkathon can significantly elevate motivation. A goal-driven activity instils a sense of achievement, leading to a commitment to workplace goals. Upon returning to their daily tasks, teammates often carry this increased motivation, resulting in improved productivity.
Promotes healthy habits
A walkathon can serve as an essential reminder of the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Teammates might feel inspired to continue walking or engaging in other forms of exercise long after the event concludes. Promoting healthy habits fosters a culture of wellness, leading to improved overall health and performance.
Boosted morale
Engaging in uplifting and enjoyable group activities can significantly improve the team’s morale. As teammates share their experiences, they will likely feel more supported and valued, contributing to a positive workplace atmosphere.
Community involvement
Often, walkathons are connected with charitable causes, creating a dual opportunity for personal engagement and community contribution. When teams come together for a cause greater than themselves, it fosters a sense of purpose. This community involvement can be profoundly fulfilling and strengthen the bond among teammates as they share the experience of giving back.
Reduces absenteeism
Healthier employees tend to experience absenteeism, leading to fewer sick days taken. Additionally, the boost in mental well-being gained through the walkathon can result in greater resilience against stress and burnout. A walkathon can contribute to a more reliable team presence and enhance productivity by fostering a healthier workforce.
Top 5 Best Walkathon Challenges
Walkathon challenges have become popular to encourage fitness, foster team spirit, and support meaningful causes. With the rise of virtual platforms, these events are more accessible than ever, allowing participants to join from anywhere and track their progress digitally.
This list highlights the top 5 walkathon challenges, focusing on virtual options that unite people for charity, wellness, or team-building.
1. Teamupp
Teamupp is an all-encompassing employee engagement platform that enhances workplace well-being through diverse challenges, including step, sports, video, and quiz challenges, tailored to various interests. It allows full customisation to align with company branding, creating a unique experience.
Integrated features like real-time chat foster team connections, while leaderboards and analytics give employers insights into engagement, guiding future initiatives. Teamupp’s blend of physical and educational challenges promotes health and productivity, helping reduce absenteeism.
2. Virtual global step challenge
The Virtual Global Step Challenge takes participants on a collective journey across iconic global landmarks, like the Great Wall of China or Route 66 — if you want to have a big challenge with your team.
Each step or mile logged brings them closer to completing these renowned routes. Key features include personalised leaderboards, milestone rewards, and interactive maps. Typically, this challenge costs between £10 and £20 per participant for organised events, making it an affordable yet impactful way to promote wellness.
3. Walk for wellness
Walk for Wellness combines fitness and philanthropy by challenging participants to walk a set distance over a month to raise funds for a chosen charity. This format encourages individual achievement and community contribution.
Key features include charity integration, donation tracking, virtual medals, and social sharing options to celebrate progress and inspire others to contribute. Entry fees are generally around £10 per participant, with additional donation options.
4. Step into adventure virtual challenge
Step Into Adventure offers an immersive experience for individuals and teams, inviting participants to explore virtual trails, mountain paths, or beaches. Along the way, they receive virtual postcards and educational information about each location.
The challenge includes interactive trails, team progress tracking, and adventure themes, making it ideal for those seeking an informative experience. Pricing starts at £25 per challenge.
5. Corporate virtual step challenge
Designed for organisations, the Corporate Virtual Step Challenge encourages employees to engage in friendly competition while promoting physical activity, teamwork, and wellness.
This challenge is customisable to fit corporate branding. It includes real-time team leaderboards and rewards, adding a competitive yet collaborative edge. Employers can use it as a wellness initiative to boost morale and build stronger team bonds. Pricing typically ranges from £15 to £30 per participant.
10 best physical walkathon challenges in the UK
Organising a corporate walkathon in the UK is an excellent way to promote team building, enhance employee well-being, and support charitable causes.
Here are 10 notable corporate walkathon challenges across the UK:
1. Striding Ahead LLP Corporate Walks
Striding Ahead LLP organises corporate adventure programs that foster teamwork and positive group dynamics. Their events are tailored to promote networking, team bonding, and exercise in scenic UK locations.
2. XNRG Corporate Charity Walking Challenges
XNRG offers single-day or multi-day walking events designed for corporate teams. These events are self-guided or led in groups, providing opportunities for team bonding and fundraising for chosen charities.
3. Ultra Challenge Series
The Ultra Challenge Series comprises various endurance events across the UK, including the Thames Path Challenge and the South Coast Challenge. Corporate teams can participate in these well-supported events to raise funds for charities.
4. British Heart Foundation Charity Walks and Treks
The British Heart Foundation organises numerous walking events, such as the Easter Challenge 50, offering corporate teams the chance to engage in physical activity while supporting heart disease research.
5. Help for Heroes Corporate Charity Challenges
Help for Heroes provides corporate teams with fundraising challenges, including obstacle courses and walking events, to support wounded veterans. These activities are designed to be both challenging and rewarding.
Interested in organising a walkathon challenge?
6. TimeOutdoors Walking Events
TimeOutdoors offers a comprehensive calendar of walking events across the UK, suitable for corporate teams seeking organised walks in diverse locations. Events range from short walks to more challenging hikes.
7. Macmillan Cancer Support Mighty Hikes
Macmillan organises the Mighty Hikes series, featuring marathon-distance walks through some of the UK’s most picturesque landscapes. Corporate teams can participate to support cancer care services.
8. Oxfam Trailwalker
In partnership with the Gurkhas, Oxfam’s Trailwalker is a 100 km team challenge across the South Downs. It’s a rigorous test of endurance and teamwork, ideal for corporate groups aiming to push their limits.
9. Alzheimer's Society Memory Walks
The Alzheimer’s Society hosts Memory Walks in various UK locations. These events suit corporate teams looking to support dementia research and services.
10. Marie Curie Walk to Remember
Marie Curie’s Walk to Remember events are evening walks in scenic locations. They offer corporate teams a unique opportunity to support end-of-life care services.
10 Walking challenge ideas
Not sure about being able to enter a virtual or physical walkathon? You can also just pick one of our 10 ideas to get your team moving. These are easy and fun ways to get more steps done each day.
1. Walk or run home challenge
If possible, turn the commute into a step challenge by encouraging employees to walk or run the equivalent distance of their trip home over a week. It’s a fun way to inspire movement beyond the workday.
2. Lunchtime walk challenge
Have you heard about digestive walks ? Set a step goal for lunch breaks to motivate employees to move midday. This walking challenge idea will help them return to work refreshed and energised.
3. Weekend step challenge
Set a step goal for Saturday and Sunday, with results shared on Monday. This simple, fun way to promote activity outside work hours adds some excitement to weekends.
4. Morning power walks
Get the day off to a positive start with a step challenge that encourages employees to reach a goal before work begins. Morning walks can set a motivating tone for the day.
5. Team relay step challenge
Foster team spirit by creating a relay-style step challenge, in which each team member contributes steps toward a group total. This is a fantastic way to enhance collaboration and promote collective goals.
6. Stair stepper challenge
Promote daily fitness with a stair-step challenge that rewards employees who choose stairs over lifts. This simple walking challenge idea builds activity into the daily routine.
7. Park and walk challenge
If running or walking to work is not an option, encourage employees to park further from the office or take a longer route to work to boost their daily steps. This step challenge makes the commute part of the movement goal.
8. Daily step goal boost
Increase the recommended step target (e.g., 12,000 steps instead of 10,000) for a specific time. This goal-based walking challenge idea gives everyone a fun push to reach new levels.
9. International destination step challenge
Set a team-step challenge to walk the distance to an international city, like London to Paris. This creates a collective mission, inspiring everyone to contribute and feel part of a larger goal.
10. Walking bingo challenge
Make step goals even more fun with bingo cards featuring various step targets or walking tasks, such as “walk 15,000 steps in a day.” This creative idea brings the benefits of a walkathon to a game everyone can enjoy.
How to participate in a walkathon challenge?
Now that you have some challenges and ideas to think about, how do you get started?
Here are seven steps to help you get started with the step challenge:
1. Choose Your Team Challenge: Decide the type of walkathon you want to organise. It could be a distance-based challenge, a time-limited event, or a themed walk. Our Teamupp app can help you plan the team challenge.
2. Promise the Event: Promote the walkathon within your organisation through email newsletters, flyers, and team meetings.
3. Register Your Teammates: Create an easy registration process for employees who wish to join the challenge. This could be done through an online form or a simple sign-up sheet.
4. Set Goals & Incentives: Define the walkathon’s goals, such as raising funds for a specific cause or achieving a certain distance. Consider offering prizes or recognition incentives for the top participants or teams.
5. Provide Resources: Provide participants with tips on preparing for the walkathon, including training schedules, safety guidelines, and hydration advice.
6. Organise the Event Day: Plan the logistics for the walkathon’s day, including the route, checkpoints, and refreshments for participants. Ensure there are volunteers to assist with the event.
7. Encourage Ongoing Participation: Share results and celebrate achievements after the walkathon. Encourage participants to continue their walking routines and consider making the event an annual tradition.
With these walkathon challenges, your team can experience the benefits of a step challenge that goes beyond fitness, creating lasting bonds and a healthier workplace.
Choose a challenge, rally your team, and start stepping toward a more engaged and energised workforce with Teamupp!
Interested in organising a walkathon challenge?
