Set to run for six weeks from 18 September to 30 October, the aim of the game is to encourage communities to move actively and sustainably across their local area whilst making small lifestyle changes, such as walking or cycling to school or work every day.

Beat the Street has been played by more than 1.9 million people in more than 170 locations across the UK including several games in East Kilbride and other parts of South Lanarkshire.

The last game took place across East Kilbride in the autumn of 2022 when 11,803 people took part which is about 15% of the local population. Together, they walked, cycled and ran 58,478 miles during the six-week game.

Councillor Robert Brown, the chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Beat the Street East Kilbride back to the area. Every time it takes place, there is a palpable sense of excitement and competition and it’s just fantastic to see so many people out walking, cycling and running together.

“The game has huge benefits in terms of reducing congestion and pollution and really helps residents discover the area on foot. The game is free to all so please sign up and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to get involved too and let’s see if we can go even further than last time!”

Open to anyone of any age, players use a card and map which will be provided by participating primary schools, while adults can pick up a free card from one of the distribution points listed at www.beatthestreet.me/eastkilbride

Alternatively, players over the age of 13 can download the free Beat the Street app to play the game with their phone.

Players can join a school, community, workplace team and there are prizes for the teams that travel the furthest with vouchers for books and sports equipment on offer. With an individual leaderboard, lucky ‘spot’ prizes just for taking part, and the opportunity to help selected local charities win cash prizes, there’s something for everyone. For schools and community teams, there is a total points leaderboard and an average leaderboard, so opportunities for teams of all sizes to win prizes.

Once the game is underway, players find their nearest “Beat Box” which will appear on lampposts around the borough. There will be more than 80 of these sensors that record each players’ point tally.

Visit two Beat Boxes within an hour and collect 10 points for each Beat Box, then keep going!

Beat the Street East Kilbride is being delivered by Intelligent Health on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council. It is supported by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and is funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

More information at www.beatthestreet.me/eastkilbride and @BTSEastKilbride