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Follow in the footsteps of legendary 19th century abolitionist, Harriet Tubman in our new virtual mileage challenge. You'll (virtually) trace the route which Harriet navigated from slavery to freedom in Eastern USA.
Every time you complete an activity, you'll advance along the virtual map retracing Harriet's steps, and unlock podcasts and postcards when you get to important places along her route.
Run, walk, cycle or swim the miles in a time frame of your choice (1 week - 12 weeks). This challenge is for anyone who wants to learn about a truly inspiring woman from history whilst having the motivation to complete some miles.
Sign up now so you're ready to start when the challenge goes live on 30th April 2024.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
We've partnered up with My Virtual Mission for this event so your whole journey is managed through their amazing tech platform - available through their website and in an easy-to-use app.
SELECT YOUR GOAL
When you sign up for the challenge, you'll be asked for your goal completion time for the challenge. E.g. How many weeks would you like to take to walk/run/cycle/swim 137 miles. We expect participants to vary from 1 week to 12 weeks.
RUN, WALK, CYCLE OR SWIM
Wherever you are in the world, complete a running, walking, cycling or swimming activity - whatever distance you like. Measure it using a GPS tracking device (watch, strava, fitbit, all GPS devices are compatible) or take a photo of your treadmill screen.
LOG YOUR ACTIVITY AND MOVE ALONG THE VIRTUAL MAP
Once this activity is logged in the My Virtual Mission app, you'll see your figure move along the virtual map. You can set it to automatically sync to some apps, or manually upload a photo of your GPS evidence in seconds. There will be a marker for your goal to keep you on track - but if life gets in the way, you can adjust it!
UNLOCK PODCASTS AND POSTCARDS
When you reach certain places along the map, you'll unlock a postcard or podcast to tell you more about her time there. For example, Greensboro is about 39 miles along Harriet's journey. Once you've clocked up 39 miles of activity, you'll unlock a podcast telling you more about her time there.
SEE YOU ON STREET VIEW
At any time in your journey, you'll be able to check out your virtual surroundings on street view. You might even bump into other challengers!
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY
The Secret London Runs Connect Facebook group is full of like-minded walkers and runners. Come join us and share the fun.
EARN YOUR MEDAL
Once you go over the finish-line we'll send you your medal in the post to celebrate your journey. Look out for the big medal reveal coming soon.
WHY HARRIET TUBMAN?
AN INSPIRING WOMAN FROM HISTORY
Harriet Tubman was a 19th century abolitionist and social activist. Born into slavery, she fled in her twenties and lived a life of relative freedom, before dedicating her life to social issues, such as helping others to escape from slavery and find work. She was a conductor on the legendary underground railroad for eight years, and in later life became an activist in the movement for women's suffrage.
THE JOURNEY YOU'LL FOLLOW
Starting in Poplar Neck, Harriet's journey will take you North through the slave state of Maryland, following the Choptank River on a treacherous road to freedom. You will meet the brave individuals who helped her, and many others, along the way, learning the secrets of the shadowy underground railroad.
Although our route follows what we believe to be that of Harriet's initial escape from slavery, we will also touch on the journeys that she took in later life to help others in their own bids for freedom. Across 137 miles of Eastern USA, you will learn about the events that shaped Harriet along the way to become one of the most inspirational women in history.
ABOUT OUR VIRTUAL CHALLENGES
This is the first challenge in our third virtual series. Our first series focused on journeys made by Henry VIII's Wives and our second centred around Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Our third series, working title 'Miles in Her Shoes' aims to bring the focus to non-royal women, who achieved extraordinary things.
