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As part of the College’s remote sports programme, Director of Sport Rob Kift initiated a Hurst community challenge to replicate the journey taken by Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 days.

The idea was to draw pupils, staff and parents together to travel around the globe, virtually. The response was superb and members of the community swiftly embraced the initiative by running, walking, cycling and rowing. Participants entered their miles onto a computer-driven form which produced a cumulative score, and weekly updates with a visual of global progress incentivised them to keep going. Added kilometres were gained from other initiatives, including a virtual park run and a virtual bike ride, which helped the Hurst community achieve a staggering total of 65,000 kilometres in just over 40 days. Standout performances from pupils, staff and parents were recognised in a number of categories such as top cyclist, top cross trainer, top rower, top runner and top walker.

Due to the success of the Around the World challenge, members of the College community have now embarked on a virtual Pole to Pole to Pole journey. This challenge builds on the same theme and emulates Michael Palin’s journey, but with a twist in that participants will circumnavigate the globe vertically passing through both poles, for a total distance of 35,000 kilometres.