A total of 53 teams across Torbay have successfully completed the Torbay on the Move Active Workplace Challenge during March, with 104,240,286 steps walked and 72,432 km (45,007 miles) logged – which is almost the same distance as travelling twice around the world!

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of SDC Library, from South Devon College, topped the leaderboard, with an impressive 4,526,613 steps. Altogether, 24 workplaces took part in the first free challenge across Torbay to encourage employees to move more before, during and after their working day.

The challenge began on 4 March and the aim was for workplaces to create a team between three and 10 colleagues and see how far they could walk, wheel or cycle during the month. Using a specially-designed online platform, all activity entered during the month was converted to steps and there were mini competitions with lots of prizes on offer to keep teams motivated.

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s cabinet member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, was among those who took part in the challenge. She said: “This free challenge has been a huge success across Torbay, with many who took part saying the impact on their activity levels has been very positive. Others have pledged to keep moving even after the challenge has ended.

“Tips and ideas shared along the way offered suggestions for things to do and explore in our local area and have kept us motivated to move more during March.

“We hope to build on its success by running similar challenges in the future.”

The winning team receive a trophy, a commemorative t-shirt and a voucher to use towards keeping up their good work of being active in Torbay, and a number of other prizes will be distributed to those who have made huge achievements throughout the month.

Natalie, one of the challenge participants, said: “Since starting this challenge, I’ve fallen in love with the local area more so than before, and it’s motivated me to continue getting out and about more, and will continue to do so after the challenge finishes.

“Primarily working from home, I noticed over the last few years, that my mental health definitely slipped a little; it all started to feel a little isolating at times. But honestly, since deciding to give this challenge a go, I’ve noticed myself really pushing to get out of the house and be more active with my children and take myself on lunchtime walks. It feels good to feel the fresh air, and to really appreciate the surroundings. I’ve managed to lose eight pounds, and noticed myself feeling a little more positive each day – small wins!”

As a result of the number of steps completed as part of this challenge, 43 trees will be planted in Madagscar on the Kandrany 2 project by the Big Team Challenge, which ran the challenge platform.

Final Torbay on the Move Workplace Challenge Winners

Furthest distance (team)

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of SDC Library (4,526,613 steps)

Average distance (team)

The Mighty Mussels (644,552 steps per team member)

Overall steps (individuals)

1. Becky (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of SDC Library): 987,656
2. Fefa (Team Cavanna): 904,490
3. David (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of SDC Library): 825,982