Lighthouse Challenge (Virtual Sports Challenge)

What is the Lighthouse Challenge?

Biannually for several years now (since Covid), my friend Beth and I have organised the Lighthouse Challenge. This is an online sporting challenge which holds you accountable over the winter period to getting out and getting active either on your own or with friends, whilst at the same time raising money for charity (Children's Hospice South West). 

Previously, this has been a six-month event but we are now condensing it down into four months - November to February. 

How does it work?

Firstly, you sign up by purchasing an event ticket (see below!)

That's the easy bi! completed! You then spend the next few months running (or walking), swimming and/or cycling. Historically, we have offered different options (outlined below) which are based on swimming, running and cycling  different distances to various lighthouses in the UK from St Mary's quay. This will be harder this year due to the shortened timeframe (previously it was six months). 

If you prefer a less complicated option you can also just count the number of walks, runs, cycles or dips you do over the winter and can do the 50/50 (fifty of one discipline, fifty of another) or the 100 (one hundred of one discipline).

Due to the shorter period this year, we are also offering the 75 option (seventy five swims, runs, walks or cycles) in four months. 

What do I receive in return?

For ease, all the prizes will be the same this year, so no matter what discipline you do, you will receive the same prize as everybody else.

This year, the finishers pack will include:

• A keyring/medal
  
• A tote bag
• A piece of artwork with your certification on the reverse

Please note that I do not personally receive any money for this and all artwork iand products are designed as a fundraiser for CHSW. We pay for the products outlined above, including printing costs, etc, and small percentage is taken by the web hosting site. Any proceeds over and above this will go to Children's Hospice South West. We are proud to have raised several thousand pounds for the charity over the years and hope to raise more for them again this year so please do share this initiative with any active, Scilly-loving friends!

What are the rules?

• You can sign up to one challenge but adjust it later if you are finding it easy or difficult. For example, if you started with St Agnes but have already done most of your distances by December, you can ‘upgrade’ to the Bishop Rock Challenge (or vice versa)

• You must do each discipline at least twice a month (two runs, two cycles, two swims- any distance). Apart from that you can do as much or as little as you like. 

• There are no restrictions on what you wear for the swims, so go crazy with the neoprene!

• There are no restrictions on where you swim, run or cycle. Off road, gym, cross county, sea, river or swimming pool. However, exercise classes don’t count, spinning, swim fit etc.

• Keep a record of your distances and in March either send us a spreadsheet or just let us know what you have done- we'll believe you!

• Everyone must check in with us after Christmas to let us know how they are doing. Failure to check in during this window may jeopardise your chance of getting your finishers pack! We will open up a week-long window in the new year for all competitors to let us know how they’re getting on. At this point we will also allow people to move up or down a group. If you have decided you’d like to move group before this date, that's fine- just start working towards your new goals, we don’t need to know immediately.

• No other sports or disciplines can be used. Only swimming, running or walking and cycling. If you only fancy one of the disciplines, then the Lighthouse 100 (or 75) is for you!

• The kilometres stated in each discipline need to be completed by that discipline. For example, you cannot top up the swimming kms with a bit more cycling. We say this to keep that challenge as fair as possible for everyone.

If you are having any problems with the challenge at any point please do contact us so we can discuss it further.

 

The Challenges:

St Agnes Challenge

Swim to St Agnes Lighthouse 3km

Run/walk to Trevose 114km

Cycle to Portland Bill 281km

 

Bishop Rock Challenge

Swim to Bishop Rock 10km

Run/walk to Minehead 247km

Cycle to Beachy Head 476km

 

Sevenstones Challenge

Swim to Sevenstones 23km

Run/walk to the Needles 346km

Cycle to John O’Groats 994km

 

The Wolf Challenge

Swim to the Wolf 40km

Run/walk to Beachyhead 476km

Cycle to Pentland Skerries 1000km

 

Lighthouse 100 Challenge

For this challenge you must complete just one of the following:

Either 100 swims or

100 cycles or

100 runs / walks.

 

Lighthouse 75 Challenge

For this challenge you must complete just one of the following:

Either 75 swims or

75 cycles or

75 runs / walks.

 

Lighthouse 50 Challenge

Due to popular demand during this shortened challenge, we have relented and included the Lighthouse 50 challenge which is just one of the following disciplines:

50 swims

50 cycles or 

50 runs/walks

 

Lighthouse 50/50 Challenge

For this challenge you must complete two of the following:

50 swims 

50 cycles 

50 runs / walks.

 

Peninnis Challenge

This challenge is for 10-18 yeas

Swim to Peninnis 2km

Run/walk to the Lizard lighthouse 80km

Cycle Eddystone 150km

 

Daymark Challenge (please see separate listing for this since it costs less to enter)

This challenge is for the under 10s

Run / walk to Daymark 6.6km

Cycle to Sevenstones 23km

 

**A note on postage: Postage is an added extra but if you are based on Scilly, please opt for 'pickup in store' as we will then be able to get your prize to you in the spring without any additional costs.**