It’s time to dust off that lycra, get out those trainers out and find that swimming costume.

The Mayor’s Twin Town Challenge, raising money for Let’s Go Stroke Club and Nightstop Communities Northwest, starts on Monday 23 September – and runs for ten days.

The Mayor of Halton, Cllr Margaret Horabin, is hosting a new challenge that you can all enjoy, whatever your levels of fitness. And you can use our leisure centres for free to contribute!

We want you to collectively run, walk and or swim from Runcorn to Widnes to Leiria, Leira to Ust Nad Labem, Ust Nad Labem to Marzahn, Marzahn to Tongling City and then from Tongling City back to Widnes.

Across our three Leisure Centres we aim to hit the total number of miles it takes to travel through Halton’s twin towns (13,172 miles to be precise) by completing various activities from swimming, gym use and fitness classes.

Even non-members will be welcome to take part in exchange for a donation to the Mayor’s charities (Let’s Go Stroke Club and Nightstop Communities Northwest).

They will receive a FREE pass from the membership teams at our centres (T&C’s apply as induction is compulsory).

The event starts a couple of days before #NationalFitnessDay and would be an idea way to warm up for and keep momentum after this national event, when our leisure centres are offering dozens of free opportunities to work out.

The challenge will run until Friday 4 October and users of our facilities will use:

1. The gym (cardio equipment) to track their distance and update the tracking sheet up in the gym
2. Fitness class users – we have a worked out how many miles each class equates to
3. Anyone who wishes to swim 64 lengths (one mile) or more can update their distance on the tracking sheet which will be situated in reception
4. School swimmers and group lessons can help us achieve this total

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Community & Sport, Cllr Phil Harris, said: “This challenge is something that you can use to focus on your individual goals as well as making a contribution to a team effort.

“Everybody can contribute to this challenge, whatever your fitness levels and we welcome both members and non-members to come and join in and see what our facilities offer”.

Mayor, Cllr Margaret Horabin, will be attending the centres during the event at key milestones and said: “Please come along and have a go as we aim to complete our challenge and help us to make Halton healthier”.

For more information follow Kingsway Leisure Centre and Brookvale Leisure Centre on Facebook, or @activehaltonleisurecentres on Instagram

Halton’s twin towns

• Portugal Leiria, Portugal
• Germany Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Berlin, Germany
• China Tongling City, Anhui, People’s Republic of China
• Czech Republic Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic