The Beat the Street Salford walk has launched across the city, turning ordinary journeys into a game that blends fitness, fun and friendly competition.
Running until 5 November, the scheme challenges residents to walk, run or cycle between “Beat Boxes” placed at key locations around Salford, collecting points along the way by connecting your phone to physical checkpoints.
I joined one of the Beat the Street Salford walks and found that the game adds a surprising sense of purpose to an otherwise ordinary stroll. Rather than simply heading out for exercise, the challenge encourages you to plan routes, aim for more boxes and compare scores with other participants. Each step feels like part of a mission rather than just a routine walk.
Walking through Salford, I encountered both familiar streets and unexpected corners of the city. Some areas were easy to navigate, while others required more effort, making it rewarding when I reached the next Beat Box. Even when sections of the route were less scenic, the competitive element kept me motivated.
Players can join using a swipe card or the Beat the Street app. The app, available to anyone aged 13 and over, shows a live map of Beat Boxes across Salford. When you come within ten meters of a Beat Box, you can tap it virtually to earn points, and you have 60 minutes to reach another to keep the chain going.
The app allows you to join teams, track your stats and collect digital gems, making the challenge more interactive. For those who prefer a simple option, the physical card works the same way as the Beat Boxes on the Street.
The social side of the Beat the Street Salford walk is one of its strongest features. Schools, workplaces, and community groups can form teams and climb the leaderboards, adding a layer of rivalry.
Already, Salford teams are logging hundreds of points on the leader board. Across previous Beat the Street games nationally, participants have clocked up more than 2.6 million miles between them, saving an estimated 699 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the process. These figures show the scale of impact a walking game can have when a community gets behind it.
Although some Beat Boxes are spaced far apart and a few routes could use clearer signposting, the overall experience is engaging. The challenge makes everyday activity more enjoyable, encourages people to stay active, and highlights corners of the city that many might not explore.
By gamifying movement, Beat the Street Salford succeeds in making walking feel purposeful, competitive, and fun. For residents looking to boost their step count and discover new parts of the city, this initiative offers a creative way to get moving.
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