Round the world simulated sporting challenge is on!

Sports students are leading Walsall College’s community on a fitness-led Incredible Journey, beginning with the equivalent of an 8,848-metre mountain climb.  From here, they’ll be pulling on hiking boots, strapping on cycling helmets and kitting up in rowing gear as they take on more challenges throughout the college year.

Their activities will form an imaginary journey across the four corners of the globe as they strive to reach their peak fitness, while encouraging others to enjoy an exercise and wellbeing boost.

The first challenge of their ‘incredible journey’ was scaling the height of Mount Everest.  More than 70 Level 1, 2 and 3 sports students scaled the equivalent of 5,400 metres on a climbing wall during a three-day relay.

Through the Students’ Union, the efforts of an additional 397 students resulted in a total of 13,947 metres being climbed, considerably exceeding the college’s initial target.

Adam Comery, Curriculum Manager for Protective Services and Sport at the college explained that while students already participate in many outdoor and off-site sport and leisure activities, this Incredible Journey increases participation within their faculty, as well as provides more sports enrichment for everyone at the college get involved in.

“This climb, walk, cycle, row challenge is a way for sports students to test their endurance while experiencing the collaboration, peer to peer encouragement and an enormous sense of achievement that leaves them striving for more academically as well as performing at their best as athletes and sporting professionals,” he said.

Early years student, Freya climbed the wall as a way of managing her fear of heights.

After getting to the halfway point on day one, she returned the following day and made it to the top.  She enjoyed herself so much that she repeated her climb.

“I’ll always be scared of heights, but I thought it would be fun to push myself by climbing the wall with my friends and proving I could do it,” she said.  “I’d definitely do this again and I’d recommend it to everyone.”

The students are now taking on the following ‘round the world’ fitness challenges:

Walk Nijmegen in November 2026

As part of the college’s Remembrance Day commemorations, a treadmill-based endurance challenge will take place.  Sport students will complete a distance-based walk inspired by the Nijmegen Marches; carrying weighted backpacks to provide an insight into the physical demands experienced at the time by military personnel.

Cycling across the USA in April 2027

A virtual cycling journey across the USA using stationary bikes positioned on campus.

Rowing around Australia in May 2027

Students will work towards completing the equivalent distance of rowing around Australia. Rowing machines will also be available for other students and staff to contribute towards the challenge.

Level 3 sports student, Archie climbed the ‘Mount Everest’ wall multiple times.

“The climb was a bit hard at first, especially as I was heading to the top, but you soon get the hang of it,” he said.  “You do feel it in your muscles – your legs and biceps – so you know the exercise is working for you.”

Archie added: “I think the challenges are a good idea.  Comparing what we’re doing to a real-life trip abroad teaches us more about different parts of the world.  And it’s another way of getting competitive with friends and other course groups; seeing who’s best.”