Meallmore’s Road to Paris

This summer, our Head Office and Business Support teams decided to take on an epic challenge as part of the Meallmore Olympics. The mission? To cover the 2,106 kilometres (as the crow flies) from Inverness to Paris and back. But here's the twist—they weren't just walking. They ran, cycled, kayaked, and did just about everything in between to rack up those kilometres. And guess what? They smashed it!

The Challenge

Starting on August 5th, 2024, the teams grabbed their fitness trackers and embarked on this journey. Each step, pedal, and paddle was tracked and logged weekly via the Challenge Hound website. The challenge wasn't just about who could cover the most distance—it was about getting everyone moving, having fun, and building a sense of camaraderie along the way.

Paul Wade, our HR Business Partner and the brains behind this whole operation shared his thoughts:

"The Road to Paris was a fun way to get everyone involved in something active. It wasn't about being the fittest but about everyone contributing in their way—whether running, cycling, or even kayaking! Seeing everyone get on board and push themselves was fantastic."

The Stats and the Standouts

After weeks of sweat, determination, and maybe a few sore legs, the team collectively covered 2,170.87 kilometres, with an average activity duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes. The elevation gained was a whopping 5,065.62 meters—talk about going the extra mile!

One of the standout performers was Amy Martin, our Accounts Assistant, who took home the top spot in the challenge. Top spot came with a fabulous prize of a luxury well-being hamper!

Amy was on fire throughout the competition and had this to say about her win:

"I had a blast with the Road to Paris. It was a great way to stay motivated, and the support from my colleagues was amazing. The physical challenge has done nothing for my knees, but it's worked wonders for my mental well-being. Whether I was walking or cycling, knowing that every bit counted towards our goal made it all the more rewarding."

We were delighted to award Amy Martin, our Accounts Assistant, for her incredible achievement in the Road to Paris challenge! Amy finished first, racking up an impressive 198.60 kilometres in the last two weeks alone. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and relentless spirit set her apart in this competition. Congratulations, Amy, on leading the way and showing us all what it means to go the extra mile—literally!

A Friendly (and Fun) Competition

The Road to Paris wasn't just a competition but a chance to bring some fun into our daily routines. Colleagues cheered each other on, shared tips, and even swapped stories of their adventures along the way. It didn't matter if you were a seasoned runner or someone just looking to add a few more steps to their day—everyone was part of the journey.

In tandem with the activities happening in our care homes—like the Hole-in-One, Bouncing Basketball, Laundry Triathlon, and Come Fly With Me paper aeroplane event—the Road to Paris challenge reminded us all of the importance of staying active and connected. Whether you were tossing a paper aeroplane or cycling up a steep hill, the focus was on fun, fitness, and community.

As the Meallmore Olympics draw to a close, the Road to Paris challenge stands out as a highlight. It brought our teams closer together, got us moving in ways we hadn't before, and proved that with a little bit of creativity and a lot of team spirit, we can achieve some pretty impressive things.

So, here's to everyone who took part—whether you walked, ran, cycled, or kayaked, you made this challenge a success. And while we might not be planning another trip to Paris anytime soon, the spirit of this challenge will keep us moving forward in all that we do.

In the end, the Road to Paris wasn't just about the distance—it was about the journey, the fun, and the sense of achievement that came with it. And who knows? Maybe next year, we'll set our sights even further!