Fitness initiative designed to create ‘healthy rivalries’

A new initiative looks to put football rivalries into good use and utilise the passion of fans to get them more physically active.

Called Fans to 5k, the new initiative will allow fans of two Bristol teams to track their fitness activities, which are then recorded and turned into points for their football team of choice.

The points then feed into the Fans to 5k 12-week challenge, which will see teams battle it out to gain the most points as well as bragging rights before the end of the programme.

The Fans to 5k programme is now up and running for fans of Bristol City and Bristol Rovers.

Those who join the initiative also have access to the private Facebook Support Group, where fans can interact with one another, connect and share their fitness journeys.

A “Fans to 5k coach” will also be in the group, offering support and guidance to help participants reach their fitness goals.

The new programme follows the success of the recent Gas to 5k pilot, which saw 63 Bristol Rovers fans cover a total of 2378 miles over the course of the initiative.

A further 1058 miles was run after the pilot had finished, further highlighting the positive changes participants had made to their health by signing up.