INNOVATIVE VIRTUAL CHALLENGES ARE CHANGING PEOPLE’S LIVES
Added: (Thu Jun 30 2022)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Over 140,000 people from all over the world have achieved their fitness goals by taking on these addictive virtual fitness events.
Staying healthy, active and motivated physically and mentally while in lockdown became a real struggle for many people in early 2020 when Covid hit the world; young entrepreneurs Nathan Flear and Tori Robinson and their 3 children weren’t the exception.
Not only were they faced with adversity when the annual real-life event (The St Illtyds 50k ultra) had to be cancelled, but they were stuck at home unable to make ends meet and unclear of what the future held.
“The most successful people see adversity not as a stumbling block, but as a stepping-stone to greatness” - Shawn Anchor
Like many other great inventions, it was almost by chance that Tori and Nathan came up with an idea to create virtual fitness events that would help people struggling with lockdown, keeping them active, engaged and motivated. A brilliant idea that was literally born at their kitchen table, is now inspiring more than 140,000 individuals plus charities, schools and companies to stay positive, and develop healthy habits.
The way this social impact company has tackled that struggle of many is by providing fun, accessible, interactive and engaging virtual fitness events to individuals of all ages from around the world. Progress can be seen on an interactive map, allowing participants to imagine they are actually on the route, and fun postcards are received at regular intervals. The response has been so great that corporations, charities and schools are using the End to End platform to encourage employees, fundraisers and classrooms to stay connected.
Co-Founder Tori Robinson said, “In May 2020 we launched our first Virtual Event to help motivate people who were struggling during the lockdown. We wanted something a little more than your everyday virtual event, so we decided on an event you could track yourself on a map, and participants would receive postcards along the route which would give them the incentive and motivation to carry on! We never imagined how popular this would become and completely underestimated the impact the events would have on people.”
Today, more than 100,000 people, plus schools, charities, colleges and companies participate in a wide range of virtual challenges, all designed to stay motivated, improve health and fitness and inspire each other. It is now one of the biggest running events companies in the UK.
END TO END’s COMMITMENT TO GIVE BACK
Giving back is one of End to End most important values; through Work For Good, they have committed to donate the equivalent of one meal each time a participant reaches half way on any of their challenges, which gives a little extra motivation that some people need to get out the door, and as a community everyone is doing their bit to help. Additionally, every time a participant completes 20, 40, 60 and 80% of the challenge, End to End plants a tree, totalling 4 trees planted for every person that finishes an End to End Challenge for a more sustainable future. So far, over 50.000 meals have been given and more than 20.000 trees have been planted.
ORDINARY PEOPLE ACHIEVING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
“Love the challenges. They are so inclusive, for all ages and abilities. The online community is really supportive, and the EndtoEnd team is really helpful. I persuaded 2 friends and my then 12 year old son to sign up for Lejog3. A great motivator to get outside and make running and walking miles count and kept us sane (and my son off his PS!). A good excuse to meet up with my friends to get miles in, and switch off from work. My son amazed me with his determination to finish, so proud of what he (and the other 3 of us) achieved. Most importantly, I loved spending quality time with him. My son and I decided we needed another challenge and completed the Pennine Way. I am now trundling along Route 66, over 300 miles in. Then South West Coastal Path.....”
Louise Whiting
FUN LIGHTHEARTED CHALLENGES THE COMMUNITY LOVE
The most popular challenge that people choose to run and/or walk is from Land’s End to John O’Groats, also known as LEJOG. Other fun routes include the Wales Coast Path, South West Coastal Path, Pennine Way and Mizen to Malin.
New events are being launched monthly while other challenges are open year-round, to sign up visit: https://www.endtoend.run/challenges/
Tori and Nathan are undoubtedly motivated by everyone who takes up their challenges, some with amazing life stories of resilience and perseverance. They said they’re “totally overwhelmed at the success of the challenges now helping so many people and love to hear and read people’s inspiring stories, it’s literally changed people’s lives and we could never have imagined that.”