Tinathon exercise challenge raises money for Winchester Hospice

The Tinathon challenge was first introduced in December 2019 to commemorate the life of Tina Jury who lost her life to cancer.

This year people ran, walked, swam and even danced their way through a dark and wet festive season, raising money for Winchester Hospice and Wessex Cancer Support.

Now in its fifth year, the Tinathon challenge has raised a total of over £50,000 for charity. Participants pay an entry fee to join the challenge and agree to exercise for half an hour every day in December. If they missed a day, they paid a ‘fine’ to the charities. 

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The group were supported by many local gyms, clubs and PTs who put on special free classes or provided free access to help Tinathoners get though the month and try something new. These included CrossFit Wessex, Elevate Fitness, Énergie Fitness, F45, Farrant Fitness, FitState, Green Apple Fitness, Winchester Fit Club and Winchester Pilates. 

The group were also treated to a salsa dancing lesson at the University of Winchester from Alchemy Dance Studios. They also supported the Round Table by accompanying Santa’s Sleigh around Fulflood.

All easily recognisable in their Tinathon buffs provided by Alexandra Sports. 

The challenge is organised by Tina’s friends including Miranda Rocksmith, Heather Terry and James White. 

Miranda said: “It was fantastic to see more than 240 people take part this year. There were many doing it for the fifth time, but some for the first time who had never even met Tina.

"What a fantastic legacy to someone who encouraged so many people to find joy in exercise. It’s been wonderful to bring people together once again in her name and, of course, raise money for our charities.”