Summary of The Triple Challenge

Pleasure from learning, physical activity and social contribution to all parts of our community

Challenge your mind, body and social conscience. Learn a new skill. Take on a new physical challenge. Make a social contribution. Feel fulfilled.

The Triple Challenge

We are extremely proud to be hosting The Triple Challenge. It is inspired by “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award” and – drawing on the “5 steps to mental wellbeing” – asks you to learn new things, take exercise and make a social contribution.

Why would you take part in The Triple Challenge?

  • It is a structured and creative approach towards leading a healthy and interesting lifestyle
  • You decide on your own level of commitment – whether at Bronze, Silver or Gold level
  • Personal achievement. You should get real satisfaction from each of the three elements
  • To develop new skills, sports and/or connections
  • You can also use your cumulated skills and wisdom for the benefit of others and within a publicly recognised context.

If you complete the challenge there are the benefits of becoming a Full Member of The Challenge Hub (please see the “Membership Levels” page), the certificate for which you will be eligible and public recognition on our Roll of Honour for Silver and Gold certificate holders. Participation is free but if on completion you would like us to review your achievements and to issue an on-line certificate where applicable then we ask for a processing fee of £15 to cover our costs unless you are sponsored by an organisation registered with us.

But really it’s about having fun, establishing your boundaries and feeling good in yourself.

REGISTER
The Rules
You must be aged 25 to 54 at time of registration.

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, complete one task from each category which together attract (at Bronze level) 3 or 4 points, (at Silver level) 5 or 6 points and (at Gold level) 7, 8 or 9 points.

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

Members have three 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 Triple 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 Triple 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.

How to tell us you have completed the Challenge

Members can access the ‘My Triple Challenge’ workbook, which can be filled out after each activity.

It provides a simple way of organising achievements so that, when it comes to telling us that you have completed your Triple Challenge, everything will be together and easier to send us. Non-members can also view a limited version of the ‘My Triple Challenge’ workbook online. [Our apologies that it refers to The Loughborough Challenge which was the previous name of The Triple Challenge]

Planning your challenge

Our menu for the Learning, Physical and Social Contribution challenges is below. In the Members’ area we explain the evidence required and make a suggestion on how you might set about planning your Triple Challenge with the right balance for you between learning, contributing and physical exercise.

Don’t be daunted by what you can’t do but concentrate on what you can do. We are confident that there is something in there for everyone. Why not have a go and see where you get to?

The Menu

– 1 POINT –

Learning

Attendance at a minimum of 5 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 or training.

“Learning” is widely defined at this 1-Point level and extends to any new skill such as tutored swimming lessons or art classes but also to a single taster session for any new sport (including, for example, yoga and pilates).

Physical Challenge

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

Charity / Community Events
Charities and communities organise a wide range of creative physical events which simply cannot be listed here. So: In any 12-month period completing a minimum of three charity or community organised physical events (which may include Park Runs).

Cycling
Either:

(a) Completing an official organised Cyclo-Sportive which exceeds 30 miles or

(b) Completing in one session of consecutive days a linear or circular cycling tour of a distance of at least 100 miles.

Hill walking
Climbing any two mountains in the UK, one of which must be over 600 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

Individual sports
For any other individual sport listed in this table of National Governing Bodies: Joining a club of which you were not a member at the time of registering for The Triple Challenge having never within the previous five years been a member of a club for that sport and participating in sport at the club on at least eight occasions within a 12-month period.

Leisure Centres / Gyms

For at least 6 out of a period of 8 consecutive weeks complete at least 2 out of the 4 options below:

(a) Swim a distance of 100m

(b) Walk or run on a treadmill for a distance of 1km

(c) “Cycle” on any static bike for a distance of 5km

(d) Attend one group exercise class

[Evidence required: These achievements must be verified at the relevant activity centre. A written description of the achievements including location, date, times and distances must be signed off or stamped by the activity centre – and submitted]

Pilates / Yoga
Joining a class of which you were not a member at the time of registering for The Triple Challenge and attending ten sessions over a period not exceeding 40 weeks.

Running (including by wheelchair)
Completing two official Half Marathons

Team Sports
For any other team sport listed in this table of National Governing Bodies: Joining a club of which you were not a match-playing member at the time of registering for The Triple Challenge and playing in at least five matches within a 12-month period.

​Triathlons
Completing two super sprint or sprint triathlons (400m, 10km, 2,5km / 750m, 20km, 5km).

Walking (including by wheelchair)
Either:
A linear walk anywhere in the world of at least 20 miles completed over consecutive days
or
Joining the Ramblers™ Association or similar officially recognised body and participating in at least two excursions.

​ Social Contribution

Either:

(a) Doing two unsolicited (ie not asked for) acts of kindness on separate occasions for a person(s) who is not a member of your family or a friend. [Examples might include cutting a neighbour’s grass, shopping for someone or even donating blood]; or

(b) On at least two occasions taking part in a community initiative which is of social benefit to that community. [Examples might include litter-picking, helping at a local sports club or helping to set up or to tidy up after a community event].

– 2 POINTS –

Learning

Attending throughout any course operated by any recognised provider of any skills / craft / talent-based training where that course operates over at least 6 months. Passing distance-learning accredited modules over at least 6 months.

Acquiring A or AS Levels, GCSEs, NVQs, diplomas or other formal qualifications acquired through a course lasting at least 6 months.

Physical Challenge

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.

Charity Events:
In any 12-month period completing a minimum of six charity or community organised physical events (which may include Park Runs).

Cycling:
Either:
(a) In any 12-month period completing official organised cyclosportives which in aggregate distance exceed 500 miles.
or
(b) Completing within a 12-month period and in no more than two sessions linear cycling tours of an aggregate distance of at least 400 miles.

​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 four consecutive days.

​Individual sports:
For any other individual sport listed in this table of National Governing Bodies: Joining a club of which you were not a member at the time of registering for The Triple Challenge having never within the previous five years been a member of a club for that sport*, completing a course of at least three lessons from a professional coach and participating in sport at the club on at least 10 other occasions, all within a 12 month period.

*Note: The intention is that this should be engagement with a new sport or one which is revisited from the past.

Leisure Centres / Gyms

For at least 6 out of a period of 8 consecutive weeks complete at least 3 out of the 4 options below:

(a) Swim a distance of 250m

(b) Walk or run on a treadmill for a distance of 2.5k

(c) “Cycle” on any static bike for a distance of 10k

(d) Attend one group exercise class

[Evidence required: These achievements must be formally verified at the relevant activity centre. A written description of the achievements including location, date, times and distances must be signed off or stamped by the activity centre – and submitted]

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

Running (including by wheelchair):
Completing an official marathon never having done so before registering for the challenge. 

Sailing:
For a club which you joined after registering for the Challenge, taking part in four regattas.

Sea kayaking:
Going on two 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.

Team sports:
For any other team sport listed in this table of National Governing Bodies: representing a club in formal matches or competitions against other clubs on at least ten occasions, having not on more than three previous occasions represented that club in any matches or competitions for that sport at any time before registering for The Triple Challenge*. 

*Note: The philosophy is that we are encouraging the taking on of new challenges rather than rewarding extensions of past achievement.

Triathlons:
Complete two Olympic distance official triathlons having never done so before registering for the Challenge.

Walking (including by wheelchair):
A linear walk(s) anywhere in the world of at least 100 miles in aggregate, completed in no more than two sets of consecutive days.

Social Contribution

Working as a volunteer for a single qualifying organisation for a minimum of two hours per week for at least 10 weeks within any single period of 30 weeks.

– 3 POINTS –

Learning

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.

Physical Challenge

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.

​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).

​Hill walking:
Completing the ‘Bob Graham Round’ in one session of no more than six days.

Individual sports
[Not applicable for 3 points]

Leisure Centres

[Not applicable for 3 points]

Running (including by wheelchair)
Within a 12-month period completing five or more official marathons. 

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.

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.

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.

Walking (including by wheelchair):
A linear walk anywhere in the world of at least 150 miles completed over consecutive days.

Social Contribution 

Working as a volunteer for either one or two Qualifying Organisations for a minimum of two hours per week for at least 20 weeks in aggregate within any single period of 52 weeks.

two men talking

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