St Kenneth’s Primary win Beat the Street East Kilbride active travel challenge

St Kenneth’s Primary emerged victorious in the Beat the Street East Kilbride active travel challenge, clinching the top spot after six weeks of active participation. The school outshone competitors like Our Lady of Lourdes, Crosshouse (third place), and Mossneuk (fourth place) to secure the title in the active travel competition.

Residents, businesses, and community groups in East Kilbride banded together to walk, cycle, and wheel their way through the challenge. Over 13,000 participants of all ages collectively covered an impressive active travel mileage of 121,628 miles during the competition period.

The Beat the Street initiative transformed the town into a large real-life game, encouraging people to opt for walking or cycling over driving and to explore the scenic green spaces and waterways of East Kilbride. Various schools and community teams also excelled in the challenge, with Greenburn Primary leading in average points, and other schools like St Hilary’s, St Louise, and Mount Cameron Primary following closely behind.

High schools and community teams such as Friends of St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School, EKCC Juniors, 2nd/7th EK Boys Brigade, and Universal Connections and Friends also showcased impressive performances in the challenge. Individual accolades were awarded to participants like Silent Echo and Olly T for their outstanding efforts.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, commended the success of the Beat the Street East Kilbride game, emphasising its role in promoting active travel and supporting the community. The initiative also raised £500 for Kilbryde Hospice, reinforcing its positive impact on both health and charitable causes.

Despite the conclusion of the active travel challenge, the Beat the Street program will continue to inspire participants to stay active and explore local initiatives for ongoing engagement. Beat the Street East Kilbride is a collaboration between Intelligent Health, South Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, and funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

In summary, St Kenneth’s Primary School’s victory in the Beat the Street East Kilbride active travel challenge highlights the power of community engagement and the promotion of sustainable and healthy travel alternatives. The initiative not only fostered a spirit of competitiveness but also contributed to charitable causes, underscoring the importance of initiatives that benefit both individuals and the wider community.