I’m not afraid to admit it; I have an obsession with getting at least 10,000 steps a day. Maybe it’s the feeling of accomplishment that I actually got up and did something or the cute celebration graphics that appear on my Fitbit (spoiler, it’s definitely the second one, my favorite is the rocket). However, sometimes I lose motivation to get my steps. Yep, the celebration graphic sometimes isn’t enough to convince me to walk around my neighborhood or on my treadmill until I reach my goal. But, lucky for me, I think I found the perfect thing. A Route 66 themed virtual challenge!

Run by the U.K. company End to End Run, this challenge encourages participants to walk, run, or bike the exact mileage of Route 66, a whopping 2278 miles. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do it all at once (unless you’re secretly The Flash, in which case, be my guest!). Contestants can do the challenge at their own pace, doing as many miles a day as they want. After completing your miles for the day, simply log them in using the online map. This can be done using GPS data, a fitness watch or band, or even emailing the company pictures of the statistics. The results are instant; you’ll immediately be able to see how far along you’ve moved along Route 66!
If you’re the type of person who likes a little surprise or gift for motivation, don’t worry, I’m the same way. At various check posts around the route, users will be sent a digital postcard pertaining to their location! These postcards include pictures of the location, fun facts, and it’ll make for a pretty cool keepsake.
As an addition to those fun postcards, the company’s sponsors and partners will be giving away some fun prizes. The best part is it does not matter what place you’re in; the winners will be chosen at random!

My favorite part of doing a marathon is the cool medal you receive at the end. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the race and celebrate, while also getting a really cool moment. In addition to getting a medal, you’ll also get a t-shirt and a digital certificate. If there’s one thing I like more than achieving a goal, it’s getting some sweet merch to commemorate it.
Does this sound like something you’d be interested in trying? I know I am! The registration price is 34 Euros ($42.44), and the challenge runs from January 1st, 2021, to December 31st, 2022.
Happy running/biking/walking!