A new health and wellbeing initiative for runners and walkers has come to Plymouth.
It is called the SixPack Challenge and uses a free smartphone app to provide customised audio instructions to safely guide runners and walkers around some stunning off-road routes set in and around the UK’s ocean city area.
And one of the people behind the initiative, though Peak District based, is life-long Plymouth Argyle fan, Paul Magner, who explained the journey of discovery now on offer to exercise enthusiasts.
“We have created six bespoke, multi-terrain routes of different distances that, when completed, add up to the full marathon distance of 26.2 miles. You can choose to undertake the routes at any time you want and at any pace, safe in the knowledge that you won’t get lost due to the customised sat-nav technology provided by the free RunGo app.
“My wife, Wendy, and I, both experienced runners, have carefully researched, checked, and rechecked all the routes and have put together clear, concise, and customised turn-by-turn instructions that you can listen to whilst running and /or view on your smartphone.
“So many runners have been reluctant to explore off-road running routes because of the fear of getting lost or not being confident with map-reading. Many others prefer to run when it suits them – something we have seen much more of during the enforced lockdowns over the last couple of years. Our SixPack Challenge technology is simple to use and ensures an amazing journey of discovery of these stunning, local running routes.”
Paul, who is 62, used to spend many spring and summer holidays staying with his grandparents in Peverell, and was thrilled to discover parts of the city he never knew about, adds:
“With nearly 20 SixPack Challenge locations now launched nationally and 10 more soon to follow, one of the most encouraging developments has been that nearly 70 per cent of all our customers are female. The ease-of-use and clarity of the audio instruction technology is clearly delivering confidence and discovery. It was an absolute joy to fully appreciate some of the wonderful green spaces in and around the city, whilst grabbing the opportunity to take in a couple of games at Home Park!”.
As well as the Plymouth Challenge, there is already a Tour of Cornwall SixPack that Paul and Wendy see as the perfect opportunity for holiday makers, as well as local runners and walkers, to discover and enjoy the rewarding trails and vistas on offer.
Entry into each SixPack Challenge costs from just £17.50 and includes exclusive access to all six routes, turn-by-turn GPS instruction with an audio guide and a striking medal posted out upon completion. Participants can choose to walk, jog, or run, and have the freedom to complete the routes in whatever sequence they choose and whenever they want.
The SixPack routes around Plymouth are:
Wrecked 5km Oreston
Coasting 6km Mount Edgcumbe Estate
Plym Soul Searching 9km Plymbridge Woods
Up The Creek 7km Honicknowle
Saltram Saunter 10km Saltram Estate
Steaming Ahead 6km Marsh Mills’
Further details for the Plymouth SixPack Challenge are available at Plymouth SixPack Challenge (sixpack-challenge.co.uk)
