Formerly paralysed endurance athlete Esmée Gummer will bring her inspiring 5,000km challenge to Ripon this weekend as part of a nationwide mission to get one million people moving.
Esmée will visit the city on Sunday (2nd August), hosting a free, inclusive 5K where people of all ages and abilities are invited to walk, jog or run together.
The Ripon event forms part of The Nation's 5K, an ambitious challenge that will see Esmée travel 5,000 kilometres across 77 UK cities in just 99 days.
At the age of 18, Esmée was paralysed following complications from surgery and was told she might never walk again.
Now recovered, she's using her own experience to encourage others to discover that movement doesn't have to start alone.
Esmée said:
"This isn't a stunt. This is forever for me. What matters most is what happens after I leave each city."
The challenge also has a strong connection to Harrogate.
Tom Kellett, who was born in Harrogate and now lives in Australia, is co-founder of fitness accountability app Effit, which is supporting the nationwide tour.
Tom was inspired to create the app after making a fitness pact with two friends during lockdown, agreeing to pay a $20 forfeit whenever one of them missed a gym session.
The challenge helped him lose 35kg, complete a full Ironman and take on a series of endurance events, eventually leading to the launch of Effit.
Rather than asking people to simply watch an endurance challenge unfold, The Nation's 5K invites local communities to get involved by taking part themselves.
Each stop on the tour becomes a free community event designed to help people take their first step towards a more active lifestyle, reconnect with movement and meet others doing the same.
The initiative is supported by Effit, the fitness community app co-founded by Tom, allowing participants to connect before each event, set movement goals, join local groups, track challenges and continue supporting one another long after the tour has moved on.
The nationwide campaign is also backed by partners including realbuzz and parkrun, with organisers hoping to inspire one million people to say "yes" to movement together.
The free Ripon event takes place on Sunday 2nd August. Registration and further information are available via The Nation's 5K website.
Harrogate-based Sporting Influence Foundation to tackle 24 climbs in 24 hours
Giant vegetables take centre stage at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Alpamare waterpark to be sold to 'protect its future' with private investment
Roadworks causing growing disruption in Harrogate and Knaresborough, officials admit
Yorkshire artist brings Harrogate's Old Market Hall back to life
Martin House hosts first children's palliative care conference
Judge appointed to lead inquiry into North Yorkshire mental health trust
Harrogate group raise more than £40,000 with cycle to Bordeaux
Scotton pub wins Tripadvisor award for seventh year running
Almost 2,000 people sign Knaresborough landslip petition
Police appeal after Range Rover damaged in Knaresborough
St Aidan's teacher recognised at national Teacher of the Year Awards
Bramham Park to host its first Christmas market
Harvest gown unveiled for flower show's 50th anniversary
Ripon's Mario's Restaurant named among Tripadvisor's top 10%
Harrogate Rugby Club reveals plans for clubhouse expansion and padel courts
Police appeal after Lister House minibus vandalised in Ripon
Council urged to "show me the money" and provide evidence of home-to-school policy change savings
Kate Mosse and Prue Leith among stars of Harrogate Literature Festival
Ripon among UK's top cities for missing parcels
