Rules of The Loughborough Challenge

You must be aged 25 to 54 and on registration you must have confirmed in confidence that you are experiencing issues of mental health or of mental / physical impairment.

You must complete achievements within each of the three categories of (a) learning (b) physical activity and (c) making a social contribution.

Qualifying achievements are listed below for each of the three categories. Each are marked as attracting 1, 2, or 3 points, depending on how demanding they are.

To complete the challenge – and to become a Gold Member of The Challenge Hub – complete one task from each category which together attract at least 6 points. For 6 points the options would therefore be to select challenges at 3×2 points or as 1, 2 and 3 points.

A Roll of Honour will record all those who complete The Loughborough Challenge and we will highlight the names of all those who become Gold Members with 8 or 9 points.

Members have 3 years from registering with The Challenge Hub in which to complete the challenge.

Please note: You will be deciding what challenges you want to set yourself to achieve The Loughborough Challenge, so by participating you agree that The Challenge Hub will not be liable for any loss or harm which you may suffer in the course of your challenge, nor as a result of any decisions which you might make. Please do consider your personal circumstances and safety before embarking on any course of action as a result of the contents of this website or actions of The Challenge Hub. Thank you.

Once you believe that you have achieved 6 or more points you simply tell us that you believe that you have completed The Loughborough Challenge. You do this by clicking on the relevant button on the “Contact Us” page within this Members’ area (clarifying the points claimed and with a brief outline description of your achievement without attachments) followed by an e-mail with all the required evidence attached and sent to theloughboroughchallenge@thechallengehub.org.

We will examine the evidence you submit and if we agree that you have completed The Loughborough Challenge then you will be sent a Certificate. You will also become a Gold Member of The Challenge Hub and we will amend your registration details accordingly. For the benefits which that brings please go to the “Membership Levels” page. Full Membership will last for 10 years from the date of your initial registration with The Challenge Hub.

Attendance at a minimum of 10 lectures or learning sessions, each lasting at least 1 hour, within a period of 12 months and provided by one or more established organisations known for delivery of education.

[Evidence required = Details of lectures or learning sessions attended including dates, provider and subjects covered]

Attending throughout any course operated by any recognised provider of any skills / craft / talent-based training where that course operates over one academic or calender year

Passing distance-learning accredited modules over at least one full academic year

Acquiring A or AS Levels, GCSEs, NVQs, diplomas or other formal qualifications acquired through a course lasting one academic year [NB: If those qualifications are achieved through a process which lasts for less than one academic year then the achievement will attract 1 Point only]

[Evidence required = Proof of enrolment / evidence of attendance or learning process / Pass Certificate (for formal qualifications and distance-learning modules)]

Passing distance-learning accredited modules over at least 2 full academic years

Acquiring A or AS Levels, GCSEs, NVQs, diplomas or other formal qualifications acquired through a course lasting two academic years

[NB: If those qualifications are achieved through a process which lasts for one academic year or more but less than two  academic years then the achievement will attract 2 Points only]

[Evidence required = Proof of enrolment / evidence of attendance or learning process / Pass Certificate]

Canoeing:

Canoeing (Canadian Canoe or Kayak) any river for a distance of at least 30 miles in one series of consecutive days

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation].

Charity / Community Events:

Charities and communities organise a wide range of creative physical events (eg 5K/10K runs, obstacle courses, bike rides, walks etc) which simply cannot be listed here. So: In any 12-month period completing a minimum of 4 Charity or Community organised physical events and raising sponsorship monies of at least £ 50 for charity

[Evidence required = named registration documents for all relevant events (or clear photographic evidence of your participation) and an acknowledgement from relevant charity(ies) of charitable donations of at least £50 in aggregate.]

Cycling:

Either:

• (a) In any 12-month period complete two official organised Cyclo-Sportives each of which exceed 40 miles OR
• (b) Complete in one session of consecutive days a linear cycling tour of a distance of at least 150 miles.

[Evidence required for (a) = named registration documents for both relevant Sportives including distance covered (as some Sportives cover different distance categories).

Evidence required for (b) = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Hill walking:

Climbing any two mountains in the UK, one of which must be over 600 Metres in height (1,962 ft which is the British definition of a “mountain”) while the other must be over 700 Metres in height. Each mountain must be in a different area chosen from the following menu: (a) Cheviot Hills (b) Ireland (c) Lake District (d) Peak district (e) Scotland and (f) Wales

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / details and evidence of accommodation / photographs with you in them taken on the peaks].

Individual sports:

For any of Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Croquet, Fencing, Fives, Golf, Gymnastics, Hang-gliding / paragliding, Ice-skating, Martial Arts, Orienteering, Real Tennis, Rowing, Sailing, Sea Kayaking, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Individual water sports (eg Water skiing) – Joining a club of which you were not a member at the time of registering for The Loughborough Challenge having never within the previous 5 years been a member of a club for that sport (Note: The intention is that this should be engagement with a new sport or one which is resurrected from the past) and participating in sport at the club on at least 8 occasions within a 12-month period

[Evidence required = Proof of first registration at the club. Confirmation of not having been a member of a club in that sport in the preceding 5 years and details of participation in sport at the club can be self-certified but with dates.]

Pilates / Yoga:

Joining a class of which you were not a member at the time of registering for The All in One and attending 20 sessions over a period not exceeding 40 weeks

[Evidence required = documentary proof of enrolment on courses which cover at least 20 sessions within 40 weeks. Attendance can be self-certified but with dates of attendance listed].

Running (including by wheelchair):

Completing two official Half Marathons

[Evidence required = named registration documents for the relevant Half-Marathons and a named certificate of completion].

Team Sports:

For any of Basketball, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Team water sports (eg Water polo) – Joining a club of which you were not a match-playing member at the time of registering for The Loughborough Challenge and playing in at least 5 matches within a 12-month period

[Evidence required = Documentary evidence of membership of the relevant club. Details of the matches in which the applicant took part with results and outcomes. A statement self-certifying that the applicant was not a match-playing member of the relevant club before the date of registration for the Challenge].

Triathlons:

Completing 2 Super Sprint or Sprint Triathlons (400m, 10km, 2,5km / 750m, 20km, 5km).

 [Evidence required = named registration documents for each relevant triathlon and named certificates of completion].

Walking (including by wheelchair):

A linear walk anywhere in the world of at least 35 miles completed over consecutive days OR Joining the Ramblers’ Association or similar officially recognised body and participating in at least 4 excursions

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Canoeing:

Either:

• (a) Canoeing (Canadian Canoe or Kayak) any two rivers for a distance for each of at least 50 miles and in each case in one series of consecutive days OR
• (b) canoeing one such river for a distance of at least 50 miles plus in the Lake District, England, canoeing the length of each of Lake Windermere, Coniston Water, Ullswater, Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake within one series of consecutive days

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Charity Events:

In any 12-month period completing a minimum of 8 Charity organised physical events and raising sponsorship monies of at least £200 in aggregate for charity

[Evidence required = named registration documents for all relevant events (or clear photographic evidence of your participation) and an acknowledgement from relevant charity(ies) of charitable donations of at least £200 in aggregate.]

Cycling:

Either:

• (a) In any 12-month period complete official organised Cyclo-Sportives which in aggregate distance exceed 500 miles OR
• (b) Complete within a 12-month period and in no more than two sessions linear cycling tours of an aggregate distance of at least 400 miles.

[Evidence required for (a) = named registration documents for all relevant Sportives including distance covered (as some Sportives cover different distance categories).

Evidence required for (b) = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Hill walking:

Either:

• (a) successfully completing The Three Peaks Challenge or
• (b) climbing Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Scafell and Skiddaw in one session of no more than 4 consecutive days

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / details and evidence of accommodation / photographs with you in them standing beside the trig point which is located on the top of each mountain and which should be clearly identifiable].

Individual sports:

For any of Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Bowls, Croquet, Fencing, Fives, Golf, Gymnastics, Hang-gliding / paragliding, Ice-skating, Martial Arts, Orienteering, Real Tennis, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Individual water sports (eg Water skiing) –  Joining a club of which you were not a member at the time of registering for The Loughborough Challenge having never within the previous 5 years been a member of a club for that sport  (Note: The intention is that this should be engagement with a new sport or one which is resurrected from the past), completing a course of at least 3 lessons from a professional coachand participating in sport at the club on at least 10 other occasions, all within a 12 month period

[Evidence required = Proof of first registration at the club / sign-off from the coach for the 3 lessons. Confirmation of not having been a member of a club in that sport in the preceding 5 years and details of participation in sport at the club can be self-certified but with dates.]

Rowing:

For a club which you joined after registering for the Challenge – taking part in 4 regattas within a 12-month period

[Evidence required = Evidence of the date of first membership of the relevant rowing club and named registration documents for all relevant events]

Running (including by wheelchair):

Completing an official Marathon never having done so before registering for the challenge

[Evidence required = named registration documents for the relevant Marathon and a named certificate of completion. A statement self-certifying that no Marathon had ever been completed by the applicant before the date of registration for the Challenge].

Sailing:

For a club which you joined after registering for the Challenge – taking part in 4 regattas

 [Evidence required = Evidence of the date of first membership of the relevant sailing club and named registration documents for all relevant events (or clear photographic evidence of participation).]

Sea Kayaking:

Going on 2 linear sea kayaking expeditions anywhere in the world, each of which involve sea kayaking for at least 4 hours per day over at least 4 consecutive days

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Team Sports:

For any of Basketball, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Team water sports (eg Water polo) – Representing a club in formal matches or competitions against other clubs on at least 10 occasions, having not on more than 3 previous occasions represented that club in any matches or competitions for that sport at any time before registering for The Loughborough Challenge (Note: The philosophy is that we are encouraging the taking on of new challenges rather than rewarding extensions of past achievement)

[Evidence required = Documentary evidence of membership of the relevant club. Details of the matches or competitions in which the applicant took part with results and outcomes. A statement self-certifying that the applicant had never represented the club in question in any matches or competitions in the relevant sport before the date of registration for the Challenge]

Triathlons:

Complete 2 Olympic distance official triathlons having never done so before registering for the Challenge

[Evidence required = named registration documents for each relevant triathlon and named certificates of completion. A statement self-certifying that no Olympic distance official triathlon had ever been completed by the applicant before the date of registration for the Challenge].

Walking (including by wheelchair):

A linear walk(s) anywhere in the world of at least 125 miles in aggregate, completed in no more than two sets of consecutive days

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of participation throughout].

The intention here is to be doing something which truly requires effort and/or planning, even from people with experience in the relevant sport. So it might be out of reach of many participants, who by reasonable effort can achieve 2-point challenges.

Canoeing:

Canoeing (Canadian Canoe or Kayak) any six rivers / canals for a distance of at least 60 miles each and in each case in one series of consecutive days

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of participation throughout].

Cycling:

Either:

• (a) In any 12-month period complete official organised Cyclo-Sportives which in aggregate distance exceed 1,500 miles OR
• (b) Complete within a 12-month period and in no more than two sessions a linear cycling tour of a distance of at least 874 miles (the traditional cycling distance of John O’Groats to Land’s End).

[Evidence required for (a) = named registration documents for all relevant Sportives including distance covered (as some Sportives cover different distance categories).

Evidence required for (b) = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Hill walking:

Completing the Bob Graham Round in one session of no more than 6 days.

Explanation:
In 1932 Bob Graham ran a circuit of 66 miles, 27,000ft and covering 42 peaks in the Lake District. He did that in 24 hours. The current record is 12hr 52mins (male) and 15hr 24 mins (female).

The current Lakeland 24 Hour record is 77 peaks within a 24-hour period.

Details: Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Graham_Round

Maps of the route: https://www.google.com/search?q=bob+graham+round+map&oq=Bob+Graham+&aqs=chrome.4.69i59l2j69i60j69i57j0l2.6699j0j9&sourceid=chrome

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / photographs with you in them taken on the route and wherever possible with you standing beside the trig point which is located on the top of each mountain and which should be clearly identifiable].

Individual sports:

[Not applicable for 3 points]

Rowing:

[Not applicable for 3 points]

Running (including by wheelchair):

Within a 12-month period completing 5 or more official Marathons

[Evidence required = named registration documents for each of the relevant Marathons and named certificates of completion.]

Sailing:

Taking part in either (a) one yacht race over a distance of at least 1,000 nautical miles or (b) two yacht races each of which is over a distance of at least 500 miles

[Evidence required = Full details of the race and the applicant’s participation in it / documentation in support/ clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout.]

Sea Kayaking:

Taking part in a sea kayaking expedition anywhere in the world where the end point is at least 150 miles from the start point, the distance is travelled by kayaking in one sequence of consecutive days and the sea kayak is never transported when out of the water

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Team sports:

[Not applicable for 3 points]

Triathlons:

Complete 2 x 70.3 (Half Ironman) distance triathlons OR 1 x 140.6 (Ironman) distance triathlon

[Evidence required = named registration documents for each of the relevant triathlons and named certificates of completion.]

Walking (including by wheelchair):

A linear walk anywhere in the world of at least 200 miles completed over consecutive days

[Evidence required = itinerary / dates / distances covered per day / details and evidence of accommodation / clear photographic evidence of your participation throughout].

Working as a volunteer for a Qualifying Organisation for a minimum of 2 hours per week for at least 10 weeks within any single period of 20 weeks;

Evidence required = an attendance record and a description of voluntary work performed and each signed for by a senior manager of the charity or Community Interest Company where you have been working].

Working as a volunteer for a Qualifying Organisation for a minimum of 2 hours per week for at least 15 weeks within any single period of 35 weeks;

[Evidence required = an attendance record and a description of voluntary work performed and each signed for by a senior manager of the charity or Community Interest Company where you have been working].

Working as a volunteer for a Qualifying Organisation for a minimum of 2 hours per week for at least 25 weeks within any single period of 52 weeks.

[Evidence required = an attendance record and a description of voluntary work performed and each signed for by a senior manager of the charity or Community Interest Company where you have been working].