Virtual running event
The 269 Marathon Challenge
Distance: Our marathon is 26.9 miles or 26.9 kilometers (you decide!)
Goal: Complete 26.9 miles OR 26.9 kilometers over the course of a single day (can be broken into separate activities). You can pick from Saturday or Sunday
Qualifying activities : Run, trail run, virtual (treadmill) run, walk, hike, wheelchair, handcycle. You can mix and match!
Tracking: You will be added to an app (account set up required) that links to most smartwatches and Strava. Alternatively you can manually upload your activities to the app (we trust you π)
Tamir Bar Yehuda (ΧͺΧΧΧ¨ ΧΧ¨ ΧΧΧΧΧ), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Date: Saturday 21st June 2025 – Sunday 22nd June 2025
Price: From Β£20 (entry available until noon on Sunday 22nd June – activities can be backdated accordingly)
Run for good π: Β£7 from your entry will be donated to Willows Animal Sanctuary
Buying the eco bling bundle separately? Get it here π (please ensure you have entered the challenge!)
Step 1
Enter the challenge π
Rope some others in too!
Step 2
Join our community π
Optional but great for moral support!
Step 3
Sign up to the challenge tracker app
We will send the link via email prior to the challenge start date
Step 4
Complete the challenge
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post your pics, tag us, and cheer on other participants in the challenge tracker app and on socials!
Step 5
Await your goodies π¦
A challenge completion sports towel π (and eco bling bundle, if purchased π πποΈ) will be sent out week commencing 23rd June 25
Challenge Information
What does my money get me?
ππ½ββ‘οΈ Participation in a marathon (or km equivalent) that you control!
π₯³ Cheerleading support from the challenge community
π± Free access to the challenge tracker app space (with cool visuals π)
π Challenge sports towel delivered to your door
π
Discounted optional finishers eco bling bundle with FREE P&P
π The feel-good vibes of knowing you are raising money for charity
Why 269? What’s the significance?
269 is an important number in the vegan community. It is the number that was on the ear tag of a calf who was rescued from slaughter in Israel and came to symbolise the fight for animal liberation across the world. You can read more about the story here.
Who is this challenge good for?
Everyone aged 18+ who has the desire and capability to challenge themselves to run, walk, jog, wheelchair or handcycle 26.6 miles or 26.9 kilometers in a single day!
Please ensure you are medically fit to participate.
What is the minimum age permitted?
Because of the distance required on a single day, this challenge is only open to those aged 18 or over.
How do I track/log my run, walk, jog, wheelchair, handcycle activities?
Prior to the start date, we will send you a link to join the challenge tracker app. You are required to sign up to the app, and can link it to your Strava, Garmin, etc., for automatic uploads of relevant activities. If you don’t have a smartwatch or Strava account, or your smartwatch is not compatible, you can add or edit activities manually.
There are colourful charts π too to help track your challenge progress individually and as part of the wider challenge community.
You can post to the challenge feed and react to others’ posts too!
Can I switch challenge options part way through?
We pay for every participant to be linked to the relevant challenge option the challenge tracker app. Once we have made this payment, you can only move to another challenge option by paying to join the alternative challenge option you want to join.
I have missed the start date, can I still join?
Yes, but only if you get in touch with us by Sunday 22nd June by 12pm 2025.
I am not based in the UK, can I still take part?
Yes! The beauty of a virtual running challenge is that you can complete it ANYWHERE! To receive the challenge buff and the eco bling bundle (if wanted) contact us before you enter the challenge and we can provide an estimate of postage costs.
Who are you fundraising for?
Willows Animal Sanctuary, who ‘look after many animals including almost 100 horses, ponies and donkeys, approximately 70 cats, dogs and many small animals as well as over 100 farm animals and birds’. Fundraising events like this one help them in their cause.
Can I fundraise for my challenge?
Yes, we would love that! We encourage participants to support charities that do not test on or fund testing on animals. A list of some common ones can be found here (noted in green or grey). We would especially love it if you fundraised for our chosen charity Willows Animals Sanctuary! In any case, let us know so we can see the difference we are all making!
I have the eco bling bundle from a previous 269 Challenge, do I have to buy it again or can I get something else?
You can leave it out of your basket at checkout. You still go into the draw to win the price of it back once 100 have been sold over the challenge series AND you will still receive the challenge sports towel π
What does the towel look like?
Here’s the visual of what we are shooting for ππ
Can I buy other challenge merch?
We don’t have anything at the moment but we anticipate getting some 269 Challenge Series merch in the future. Make sure you are following us on socials and have subscribed to our newsletter to find out when this becomes available.
What happens if I can’t take part?
For a small administration fee of Β£2.50, you can defer your place to the following year, as long as this request is made at least 1 week before the challenge start date.
Contact us to initiate a deferral as soon as it is required.
Tell me more about the ECO BLING BUNDLE!
Β£12.99 if purchased with challenge entry. Β£14.99 if purchased after challenge entry.
Once 100 bundles have been sold (across all 269 Challenge Series challenges) we will hold a ‘win back your bundle price’ and select 2 names at random to be fully refunded and get their bundle for FREE! Spread the word!
The medal π
– shaped and designed like the 269 calf ear tag, made from bamboo wood (making it soft and light to hold) and finished with a bright satin ribbon. It is pretty cool!
The pin badge π – Most of us don’t walk around with our medals on all day, so we have added a jazzy chunky badge! Stick it where people will see it and they will ask: ‘what is the 269 challenge’?, stimulating conversation about the relevance of the number 269. The fact you mention the challenge and point them to us so they can take part in this and other challenges in the 269 Challenge series is just a bonus π.
The pen ποΈ – We don’t normally note how nice a pen feels to hold in the hand, but this one really does feel nice! It’s made of 50% Wheat Straw and 50% ABS (a recyclable plastic that is also very durable) so none of your fast-fashion pens here π. It’s blue ink which we know is the lesser spotted pen colour, but that’s a conversation starter in itself! ‘Oh, you write with a blue pen!’ *leans in* ‘What does that say? The 269 Challenge? What’s that?’ Cue the same chat as with the pin badge π.
Want more information?