Already 27,000 km covered, only one week after the launch of the 2021 Vertigo challenge. Nine companies are taking part in this inter-firm sport and solidarity challenge from 6 to 25 April 2021. This project is organized by the association Play International* which promotes education and the values of living together through sport.
Organised into teams of four people, walking, running or cycling, participants are encouraging and challenging each other every day for three weeks. The goal is to travel as many kilometres as possible and turn them into a financial donation. The project will support the development of educational programmes through sport for vulnerable children in Burundi, France, Kosovo, Liberia and Senegal.
A personal challenge to get active or outdo oneself
For all participants, the Vertigo challenge is an opportunity to get some fresh air and get active every day. Whether they are sportsmen or not, they admit to being more active than usual and to enjoy exercising.
"I had not run in a few years; I am not a big fan. I got out for a run last Friday and I liked it! I had forgotten about the aches and pains it could generate, and I spent my weekend having sore feet and calves! But it was for a good cause ? I plan to run more often! ", says Cindy, a participant from Societe Generale.
Societe Generale team "l'Anomalie" with Frédérique, Elisa, Jean-Baptiste & Thierry, ready to take on any challenge.
Team spirit at the heart of this adventure
The Vertigo challenge is also a fun and collective adventure that promotes social cohesion and ties. First within the teams, WhatsApp groups to organise the activities as well as to support and motivate each other.
"We think that [Vertigo] develops a competitive spirit in a good mood and team spirit. And incidentally, it is also an opportunity to gently make fun of some and congratulate others, it's great fun!", shares Jean-Baptiste, another participant.
Relatives and colleagues are also indirectly involved in the adventure. They take news, encourage... and sometimes even participate.
With the curfew, I didn't have much time to go out for a walk or a run. When I got home, I asked my husband to put on his trainers and we walked back and forth in our garage for an hour and 40 minutes. Our neighbours must have thought we were crazy, but I managed to exceed 21,000 steps that day!
Beatriz, Societe Generale employee
A long-term beneficial dynamic
The benefits go beyond the sporting challenge for the participants. A team hopes to keep this positive emulation on and continue to train each over even after the challenge ends. Some participants, when they are at the office, now take a walk outside together during their coffee breaks.
"This challenge has allowed us, in a very difficult and anxious time, to think of something else, to have a goal and to motivate ourselves for a while."
See you at the end of April for the results of the 2021 edition of Challenge Vertigo!
By sharing their progress on social media, participants help raise awareness of Play International.
(*) Since 1999, Play International has been committed to making sports a driver for education and social change. Their initiative is deployed in more than 20 countries.
The association has been a partner of the Societe Generale Foundation since 2017 in its “Living together” program. Deployed in France, the purpose of this programme is to root sports and play in the education of 8- to 12-year-old children.