Many Count.It groups run challenges in which participants make a real world "journey," like climbing Mt. Everest; walking from one office location to another; or trekking across an entire country. This can be a great way to give everyone a familiar and compelling movement goal!
PRO Tip: Distance challenges are NOT the same as steps challenges! Distance challenges use a "Daily Distance" value, which is calculated and labeled slightly differently by the various fitness apps. Apple Health uses the name "Walking + Running" distance for this activity, while Fitbit, Garmin, and Google Fit simply call it "Distance." In general, the calculation uses movement/steps data, though it may also incorporate GPS data if that is available.
In a distance challenge, participants work toward reaching a set distance goal based on their “Daily Distance." Challenge admins can create their own virtual journey, with multiple checkpoints along the way, or choose from a number of iconic destination options. It’s up to the challenge creator to select the distance or destination, and to specify the time period for completion.
Creating a Distance Goal
To create a distance challenge, follow these steps:
Open Count.It to your group home screen.
Tap on the "+" icon at the top right of the screen to create a new challenge.
Scroll (slightly) down to the "Distance" goals.
Select one of the default goals, or tap the "Custom" option.
Custom Distance Challenges
If you've selected "Custom," tap the blue "Choose" button on the next screen to start creating your challenge.
On the next screen, enter your starting point and destination(s). If you don't have real world locations in mind, you can always just label these "Start" and "Finish," but you must have at least a start and an end! Simply tap the "Add a destination" link to add one or more stops along the way.
Be sure to add a distance value between each of your destinations — and check to make sure you're entering the distance in the units (miles or kilometers) that are selected at bottom. If you're not sure of the distance(s), you can look this up online. (NB: Auto-calculation of distances coming soon.)
Once you've added your destinations and distances, continue with challenge creation as normal by adding your challenge dates, creating teams and rewards, etc.
PRO Tip: Keep in mind that the distance goal you set is the target that must be achieved by your individual challenge participants, and make sure you set the challenge duration appropriately so participants have enough time to reach the destination.
This is also true for teams. Since the team score is equal to the average of its members’ scores, a team moves at roughly the same pace as an individual.
Adding Rewards based on Destinations
As in any Count.It challenge, you can assign rewards based on the progress your participants make toward the goal(s). With a distance challenge, this can be very literal. For example, you can set up a reward at each destination along the way, as well as the final stop.
On the Add Reward screen, select Individual or Team, and then: Total Points --> Final Progress --> Your Destination
Example: Creating a Custom Distance Challenge
If you assume that the average adult (outside a challenge) covers about 2.5 miles (or 4.02km) per day, then you can calculate how many days it would take the average person to cover the distance of your challenge:
[YOUR DISTANCE] / 2.5 mi (or 4.02 km) = DURATION IN DAYS.
Example:
1,000 mile challenge / 2.5 miles per day = 400 days.
Points Conversion for Distance Challenges
PRO Tip: As of May 2026, distance challenges are still calculated "behind the scenes" in points, though they are displayed on the main challenge screen in real world miles or kilometers. Over time, we will be shifting the UI to use distances throughout the user interface, i.e. on user profile screens and the rewards admin, etc.
Understanding distance and points: In distance challenges, participants still earn points based on the distance they log. Here’s how the point system works for any challenge you create:
1 meter = 1.25 points
1 kilometer = 1250 points
1 mile = approximately 2011 points
Points are automatically awarded based on distance, so your participants’ totals will increase each time they log their daily steps or GPS-tracked movement. On the virtual challenge path, participants will see progress markers indicating both actual distances and progress in points.