BEAT the Street participants were urged to keep exercise as part of their daily routine.

The anti-obesity project, which saw Swindon turned into a massive game, ended last month. Residents in the town smashed the UK Beat the Street record, walking, running or cycling more than 300,000 miles over six weeks.

Stuart Arthur, one of the Beat the Street coordinators, said: “Swindon had 32,000 people playing, which is the largest number this game has had. That number could fill the County Ground stadium twice over."

“It’s the biggest Beat the Street game in terms of participation and it’s the biggest game in terms of miles travelled. Swindon is the model that needs to be replicated. When we launch this game in other towns, the question is going to be ‘Is this as good as Swindon?’”

He praised schools and sports clubs for backing the project. The winners of the schools category will be announced on Monday.

Now the game has come to an end, he encouraged people to make sure exercise was part of their everyday routine: “For the last six weeks we’ve built activity into daily life. We’ve chosen to walk to school and back. It’s a case of saying, let’s just wander the streets for half an hour or let’s get some fresh air. Learning to build that into daily life is just as important as joining a running club.”

Winners

At the County Ground yesterday, trophies were presented to the community teams that clocked up the most miles and points, tapping their contactless cards on Beat the Street boxes tied to lampposts around the town. Sports clubs and the council’s activity officers were also on hand to give families a taste of sports ranging from archery and running to cycling.

Swindon Parkrun triumphed in the fitness team category. Parkrun director Emma Sperring said runners would arrive early for the weekly event at Lydiard Park so they could run shuttle races between the two boxes in the country park.

Michelle Jones, 42, from Wroughton, team leader of third placed group Swindon Stragglers, praised the game: “It got us motivated to go out and go a little bit further to get the next Beat the Street box, then the next one.” Daughter Kiara, nine, added: “Everytime I went to school I got two or sometimes four boxes.” Even the girl’s karate teacher got in on the act, telling the children to stop running and jumping just as they would screech to a halt to tap the next box.

Mum Pennie Morse, 44, from North Swindon, said: “We were out almost every day after school. It’s inspired my daughter, Olivia. She wants to join a cycling club.” Charlotte Sunderland, 40, of Old Walcot added: “It was brilliant. We absolutely loved it. They just enjoyed getting out and about. They loved doing it.”

Cheating parents

When Beat the Street began, there were some complaints of parents ferrying their children between the game’s boxes in the car.

Stuart Arthur, the game’s coordinator, said it was inevitable in a project involving 32,000 people that some would try to beat the system.

What to do next?

Emma Sperring, who is also the borough’s active lives officer as well as Swindon Parkrun director, said: “It’s now about sustaining it. My job and that of the others in the team is about continuing the activity levels over the months. The idea of today is to show people what’s available in the community.”

Swindon Shin Splints, a running group represented at the County Ground event, said they hoped to encourage some of the adults inspired by Beat the Street to join their weekly sessions. The group runs from the Sun Inn at Coate Water, Wednesday at 6.30pm and Saturday at 9am.

People could also try Swindon Borough Council’s stash of bicycles, including a rickshaw-like tandem specifically designed for people with disabilities. The bicycles are available for people to try. Groups meet at the County Ground athletics track on Monday, 10am-11am, Thursday, 1pm-2pm and Friday, 10am-12pm.