Two MPs, several Swindon councillors, and hundreds of locals are throwing their weight behind a new wellbeing event which the organiser hopes will turn Swindon into the fittest town in the country.
Tim Howe is the founder of the Longevity Games, inspired by the success of an informal meet-up he started during lockdown, where people started coming along and training alongside one another outdoors.
Trialled twice last year, with five events taking place during 2025, the Longevity Games are open to people who want to start to get fit, or test their fitness, with no pressure to compete against anyone other than themselves. ‘Your pace not a race’ is the philosophy.
Tim, a fitness enthusiast whose day job is selling forklift trucks, said: “The life expectancy of people is 81 yet the health expectancy is 63, which means people are living with illness for the last 20 years of their life, which are preventable. I want to build a template here in Swindon to prove that if you bring people together to be more active and more inclusive, you can change a community. I want to make Swindon the fittest and strongest town in the country.”
Last September’s Longevity Games included Swindon North MP Will Stone, while Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander was a guest at the games in February. The next Longevity Games – planned for May 18 at Swindon Harriers Athletic Track – will feature a number of Swindon councillors, including Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Jim Robbins taking part.
Tim said: “We did a tester event in May last year, and our first full event in September. The first was pulling in friends, family and anyone who wanted a go. Lots of them then came back for the next ‘proper’ event. When we ran the games in February, we had 103, and signups are even better for May with 140 signed up. It’s blown my mind. To go from nothing to where we are going, is really humbling.”
Tim, 51, who is married to his wife Lee, with two children, has always been into his fitness. His interests range from running and gym, to triathlon, long-distance cycling and fitness events.
But Tim, from North Swindon, could see the fitness events he was taking part in were very commercial focused, with potentially prohibitive entrance fees, as well as a strong competitive element, which can put people off.
He wanted instead to deliver an inclusive event, that anyone could come along to, without feeling intimidated or breaking the bank.
The Longevity Games are aimed at people of all ages, and levels of fitness. Events include running or walking, lunge walks, burpee jumps, and squats, and participants can choose from three categories – Novice, Intermediate, and Proficient.
“I wanted to create an environment that’s not scary, but one that’s fun, and where people want to come back, and next time bring along their friends. It’s all about investing in yourself to reap the rewards that will come. Participants can be as competitive as they wish – or alternatively, not at all. There are no timing chips, so no pressure.”
Tim’s vision is for the Longevity Games to have a far-reaching and positive impact on the health of people in the town. At every event he invites other sports and fitness clubs to come along and promote themselves, so participants can see what is available and be inspired to carry on their fitness. He is also hoping GPs will refer patients to the Longevity Games as part of a fitness plan.
He already has other towns asking him to duplicate the Longevity Games, and there’s even interest from the United States.
After the May event, there are three more Longevity Games planned for this year: July 20 at Moredon Sporting Hub; September 14 at Swindon Harriers Athletic Track; and a date and venue in November, details to be confirmed.
For more information about the Longevity Games and how to take part, visit https://thelongevitygames.co.uk/. Each event costs £35, which includes a finisher’s t-shirt, a branded water bottle, and access to high-resolution photographs. Most importantly, a great day out and a feeling of accomplishment.
Article by Jo Smyth, Word Worker
