National Three Peaks team event, but inclusive? - or maybe Tough Mudder

[LeylaOfCircassia]

I'm responsible for organising team events as part of my job. National Three Peaks has been suggested as an 'opt-in' event - this is fine and we can make this happen, but I wondered if it is possible to make it more inclusive.

So,

• a hardcore team who do the full Three Peaks
• a smaller walk/trek/challenge at each for others
• we'd have a small logistics team (driver(s) + first aid/sustenance etc

Out of our team of 100 prob expect 30 people to be keen.

Tough Mudder is prob more inclusive, and maybe we start smaller.

The National Three Peaks is a logistical nightmare, especially if you have other events at each of the peaks. If you want a smaller and more manageable challenge maybe the Yorkshire Three Peaks?

Wheres the team that sit in the pub waiting for the others.

Thats my idea of inclusive.

3 Peaks can be very difficult logistically with a larger group, especially with varying fitness levels.

Tough Mudder is good but for 2025 slots are already sold out at lots of locations and many time slots so you'd have to be very quick.

Have you thought about the Yorkshire 3 Peaks instead? It's circular so not as logistically painful as the 3 Peaks but people could do 1, 2 or 3 of the peaks depending on how they feel.

Hahah @soupfiend we have plenty of those events, so I do understand this request for something different.

It will be opt in so maybe it doesnt actually have to be inclusive.

It is a very competitive, high achiever (and very privileged) type industry where they thrive on things like this - I say this only because I looked at the Surrey Peaks and that looked lovely but I suspect it won't feel a challenge to those who would sign up for this sort of thing.

Yorkshire sounds like a more doable challenge actually.

Given I will be in charge of the logistics, I could do with an easier time here.

Have you thought about the Yorkshire 3 Peaks instead? It's circular so not as logistically painful as the 3 Peaks but people could do 1, 2 or 3 of the peaks depending on how they feel.

That sounds like a good idea.
If some people just want a nice day out rather than a 'challenge' then just the bottom bit of Ingleborough with a visit to the caves is pleasant.

I did the Yorkshire Three Peaks with a walking group and there were quite a lot of members who weren't up for the actual walk but really threw themselves into support tasks like ferrying people from their accommodation to the start point showing up at various points with extra food, water, etc, providing transport for people who needed to drop out and picking us up at the end of the route.

They really seemed to value this kind of participation (and were extremely helpful).

And of course there was the support task of being first into the pub afterwards and getting the drinking started!

EDIT: And, yes, as the previous poster said , some walkers just did one or two peaks and then made use of the support transport, so the day was quite flexible for the less bold hikers

Ok - I think the Yorkshire peaks sounds logistically easier, still a challenge and some of the less fit or just inclined can also take part if they want and we'll have some volunteers and book a nice place for when everyone is finished.

*less inclined

I think the Yorkshire Three Peaks could be considered tougher as a challenge than the national one. Yes the peaks themselves are smaller and there's around half the ascent overall, but you're spending a whole day continually on feet - whereas in the national three peaks you're just doing the three mountains with a lot of rest and even a chance for a snooze after each one.

The national three peaks is as much a test of logistics and driving than physical fitness. And it doesn't sit right with me environmentally either (eg rocking up at Wasdale, Pen-y-Pass etc, contributing to traffic congestion and spending nothing in the local economy). A day out in the Dales with options for all those who don't want to do the full walk is much more fun, in my view.

Yorkshire works if you want it to be a family-friendly event, though it sounds like that might not be relevant to your organisation OP.

I don't think Tough Mudder is what I'd class as "inclusive" at all! I'm fit and active and will run marathons but that is literally my idea of hell! For people who aren't regular exercises it's not going to be achievable.
I think you need something that isn't exercise focused at all for it to be completely inclusive....could you do some community volunteering?

We have lots of other activities throughout the year, so no one is missing out etc. We have a couple of flagship dinner/parties, plus regular smaller celebrations everytime a project ends/hits a milestone, stuff where we do things in the office (wreaths at Christmas etc) - plus the office wide stuff, so this would be opt in. There are some very fit, competitive people, also quite a young team, but also people like me who wouldn't be able to do it all but would quite enjoy a part - though I will definitely be busy organising.

It just would be nice to offer (for those who want to partake) the main challenge and the opportunity for another group to come along and do something easier.

I will give the sustainability/local area angle some thought too, we will want to make sure we are being responsible and if we can give back in some way. We aren't looking to do this for charity particularly, more as team building (I know that is universally disliked on MN, but it works for us).

I think this is the absolute opposite of an inclusive event.

There are some very fit, competitive people who want an event many people can't join in with, with a subservient support role offered to the weak.

Thanks for your input @verycloakanddaggers. I was wondering if I could arrange it so more people could take part, but as I have explained, this is an opt in and we have many events that are designed to appeal to the widest group. It seems Yorkshire is a better idea and no one is being offered a subservient role - unless they want to help.

Within the team of 100 there are probably 80 who have done something like this before/would enjoy it. Same way about 80 people tend to come to the dinners and parties.

It isn't exclusionary in the wider programme of events - I prefer not to attend pottery making and landscape painting, as an example.

Presumably when you don't join in the pottery you're not offered an alternative support role?

It's the 'trying to make it more inclusive' that is the issue. This is by its nature not an inclusive activity. Either that matters or not, but you can't make it one without becoming patronising IMO.

This is an event for a minority, as you said in the op: Out of our team of 100 prob expect 30 people to be keen.

Agree the Y3P is a better idea logistically environmentally and more enjoyable.

The national 3 peaks is mostly driving.

At least if you are all in roughly the same location people can join in on one or two of the walks or head to something a bit more gentle.

Ok @verycloakanddaggers - it isnt, I asked the question, it was clear it wasn't so I have taken advice and am now looking at another option. The team will be asked. It was just a question to see the art of possibility.

Thanks everyone, I've got a decent starting point now, that I feel better about.