1.1
Objective
Reach 365 points before the challenge year ends. There is no single daily target and no streak to maintain.
The Rules · 2026 Challenge
The official rules of the 365 Challenge.
These are the formal rules for the 2026 365 Challenge. They explain how points are earned, how the challenge is won, and what is (and is not) allowed. For a plain-English overview, see the About page.
Section 1
The challenge
The 365 Challenge is a free, year-long fitness challenge. The objective is to earn 365 points between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2026 inclusive, by recording eligible physical activity.
1.2
Challenge period
The 2026 challenge runs for the full calendar year.
1.3
Who can take part
Anyone who creates a free 365 Challenge account and connects a Strava account. You may join at any point during the year; starting earlier gives more time to accumulate points but is not required.
1.4
Cost
The challenge is free for individuals and community groups. There is no paid tier, subscription or card requirement to take part.
Section 2
How to enter
2.1
Create a free account
Register at 365challenge.org and verify your email address.
2.2
Connect Strava
Authorise 365 Challenge to read your Strava activities. A connected Strava account is required: 365 uses Strava to import activities and calculate points automatically.
2.3
Record activities
Record your activities on Strava as you normally would. Eligible activities are imported and scored automatically. Manual activities may also be added within 365 and are scored under the same rules (see Section 9).
2.4
Choose a foot-activity preference
On your profile, select either running or walking as your foot-activity preference. This determines which of the two earns distance points (see Section 5).
Section 3
Active days
An active day is the core unit of the challenge and rewards consistency.
3.1
Definition
A day counts as an active day when your recorded eligible activity on that day totals at least 20 minutes.
3.2
Active day points
Each active day earns +1 point.
3.3
Monthly cap
Active day points are capped at 12 points per calendar month. Once you have 12 active days in a month, further active days that month still appear on your calendar but earn no additional active-day points. The cap is designed to encourage balance and not reward unhealthy extremes.
3.4
One active day per day
Multiple activities on the same day can still add activity points (Section 4), but they do not stack as multiple active days. A day is either active or it is not.
3.5
Which activities count
Any eligible activity category can generate an active day when it reaches 20 minutes, including categories that do not earn distance or time points on their own (for example yoga or water sports).
No streaks, no penalties. Missing a day does not reset anything. There are no inactivity penalties. The challenge rewards consistency over the whole year, not perfection on any given day.
Section 4
Activity points
In addition to active day points, eligible activities earn activity points based on distance or duration. Points are calculated from the categories and rates below.
| Category | Typical activities | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Running | Run, VirtualRun, TrailRun | 0.5 pts / km † |
| Walking | Walk, Hike, Snowshoe | 0.4 pts / km † |
| Cycling (outdoor) | Ride, GravelRide, MountainBikeRide, EBikeRide, EMountainBikeRide, Velomobile, Wheelchair | 0.25 pts / km |
| Cycling (indoor) | VirtualRide | 0.2 pts / km |
| Swimming | Swim | 2 pts / km |
| Workouts | Workout, HIIT, Crossfit, WeightTraining, Elliptical, StairStepper, Rowing, VirtualRow, RockClimbing | 2.5 pts / hour ‡ |
| Games | Badminton, Golf, Pickleball, Racquetball, Soccer, Squash, TableTennis, Tennis | 2 pts / hour |
† Running and walking distance points are only earned by your selected foot-activity preference (see Section 5).
4.1
Categories that earn activity points
Only running, walking, cycling, swimming, workouts and games earn distance or time points. Yoga, water sports, winter sports and other activity types do not earn activity points directly, but they can still count toward an active day (Section 3) and toward monthly challenges (Section 7).
4.2
Multiple activities on the same day
Activity points from several activities on the same day are added together. Only one active day can be recorded for that day.
Section 5
Foot-activity preference
Running is the default activity in the challenge. But if you're not a runner then you can select walking instead. Participants can set their foot-activity preference on their profile.
5.1
Selected preference earns distance points
If running is selected, running earns 0.5 pts/km. If walking is selected, walking earns 0.4 pts/km. The selected type earns distance points.
5.2
The other type still counts as an active day
The non-selected type does not earn distance points, but it can still generate an active day when it reaches 20 minutes.
5.3
Changing your preference
You can change your preference on your profile. Scoring reflects your currently selected preference.
Example: if your preference is running, a 5 km run earns 2.5 activity points.
A 5 km walk on another day earns no distance points, but still counts as an active day if it
lasts 20 minutes or more.
Section 6
Total score
Your total score is the sum of four point categories:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Active day points | +1 per active day, up to 12 per month (Section 3). |
| Activity points | Distance and duration points from eligible activities (Section 4). |
| Monthly challenge points | Bonus points for completing each month's challenge (Section 7). |
| Diamond points | One-off bonus points for completing diamond challenges (Section 8). |
The target is 365 points. Reaching 365 points means you have completed the 365 Challenge for 2026.
Section 7
Monthly challenges
Each calendar month has a themed monthly challenge that rewards variety. Complete the challenge within that month to earn the points shown. Monthly challenges are displayed on your dashboard.
| Month | Challenge | Requirement | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | January Jaunt | Log 15 km of walking | 5 |
| February | February Fun | Log activities from 6 different sport types | 5 |
| March | Mindful March | Complete 2 hours of yoga or mindfulness practice | 5 |
| April | April Bingo | Achieve a line on the April Bingo card (full house earns 10) | 5 / 10 |
| May | May the Force Be With You | Log 4 hours of structured workouts | 5 |
| June | June Jiggle | Log 50 km of cycling (indoor or outdoor) | 5 |
| July | July Jog | Log 50 km of walking or running | 5 |
| August | Splash Time August | Swim a total of 4 km | 5 |
| September | September Refresh | Complete 4 active days with a friend (use #365friends) | 5 |
| October | October Workout Boost | All workout activities earn double points this month | ×2 |
| November | November Nutters | Exercise every day throughout November (30 active days) | 5 |
| December | Twelve Days of Christmas | Complete all of the activities from 1st to 12th December (use #365christmas) | 5 |
Hashtags. Some monthly challenges require a hashtag on your Strava activity
name (for example
#365friends, #365christmas). Add the hashtag
exactly as shown for the activity to be recognised.
Section 8
Diamond challenges
Diamonds are optional, one-off bonus challenges worth 5 points each. They can be completed at any point during the challenge year unless a specific date is shown. Diamonds are displayed on your dashboard.
| Diamond | Requirement | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Climb | Climb a mountain with at least 800 m total ascent (run or walk) | 5 |
| Junior Hill Climb | Climb at least 400 m and add #365juniorhillclimb | 5 |
| Catch a Fish | Catch a wild fish and log Handcycle with #365catchafish | 5 |
| Parkrun | Complete an official parkrun event (4.5 km, add #365parkrun) | 5 |
| Half Marathon | Complete a half-marathon distance by running or walking (21 km) | 5 |
| 50 km Bike Ride | Ride 50 km outdoors and add #365bikeride | 5 |
| 25 km Junior Bike Ride | Ride 25 km outdoors and add #365juniorbikeride | 5 |
| Water Sports Day | Take part in a water sport (20 min) with #365splash | 5 |
| Outdoor Swim | Complete an outdoor or open-water swim (20 min) with #365outdoorswim | 5 |
| 12 km Hike | Complete a 12 km hike | 5 |
| Pub Sport Champion | Win a pub sport and log Handcycle with #365winner | 5 |
| New Year's Day Walk | Complete a 4 km group walk on 1 January 2026 | 5 |
| Summer Solstice Active Day | Complete an outdoor active day on 21 June (20 min, #365solstice) | 5 |
| Spotty Run | Take part in the Spotty Run event, 13–15 November (#365spotty) | 5 |
| Winter Solstice Active Day | Complete an outdoor active day on 21 December (20 min, #365solstice) | 5 |
Section 9
Activities & data
9.1
Strava is the primary source
Eligible activities recorded on Strava are imported automatically and scored under these rules. 365 Challenge reads activity data needed to calculate points; it does not publish your private Strava data.
9.2
Manual activities
You may add an activity manually within 365 if it was not imported from Strava. Manual activities are scored using the same rules, with the activity type you select mapped to the nearest scoring category.
9.3
Private activities
Private activities remain visible to you for managing your own account. Shared or public dashboard views redact private activity details before they are rendered.
9.4
Disconnecting Strava
You can disconnect Strava at any time. Points already earned remain on your record. See the Data Protection Policy for how Strava-sourced data is handled.
Section 10
Groups & leaderboards
10.1
Groups
You may create or join groups to compare progress with friends, family, club mates or colleagues. Groups have their own private leaderboards.
10.2
Global leaderboard
An optional global leaderboard lets you compare your year with other participants. You can control whether you appear on it from your profile.
10.3
Leaderboards are motivational
Leaderboards exist to make the year more engaging. They do not change how points are earned. The challenge is designed to reward personal consistency first.
Section 11
Conduct & fairness
11.1
Activity must be genuine
Points are intended to reflect real physical activity. Activities must be your own and accurately recorded. Fabricating, duplicating or misrepresenting activities to gain points is not permitted.
11.2
One person, one account
Each participant may maintain one 365 Challenge account. Creating multiple accounts to influence leaderboards or groups is not permitted.
11.3
Health and safety
Take part within your own capabilities. Review the Personal Safety Policy before participating. The 365 Challenge platform is a tracking and motivation tool only and does not provide medical or professional fitness advice.
11.4
Enforcement
365 HQ may correct scores, remove ineligible activities, or suspend accounts where activity is found to be non-genuine or these rules are otherwise breached.
Section 12
Completing the challenge
12.1
Reaching 365 points
A participant completes the 365 Challenge when their total score reaches 365 points within the 2026 challenge period.
12.2
Ranking
Where participants are ranked, ranking is determined by total points. Final results are calculated at the end of the challenge year.
12.3
Finalisation
At the end of the year, results are finalised and status snapshots are frozen. Raw activity data may be retained or purged in line with the Data Protection Policy.
Section 13
Changes to the rules
13.1
Rule version
These are the 2026.3 rules for the 2026 challenge year. The version shown on your dashboard reflects the rules in force.
13.2
Amendments
365 HQ may update these rules during the year if required for fairness or clarity. Material changes will be communicated to participants. Scoring of past activities follows the rules in force at the time the activity took place.