Share a tip on taking part in an organised challenge in the UK or overseas

The Rise of Organised Challenges: Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

In an era where self-improvement is all the rage, people are turning to organised challenges as a way to push themselves to new heights – literally. From completing the Three Peak Challenge in the UK to swimming open water or trekking across foreign lands for charity, more and more individuals are signing up for events that test their physical limits.

Whether it's a marathon, cycling sportif, or hiking trip, these challenges offer an exhilarating way to raise money for good causes or simply challenge oneself. And now, the Guardian is on the lookout for your own experiences – share your tips, triumphs, and tribulations with us.

We're particularly keen to hear from UK residents who have taken part in organised challenges. If you've conquered a tough trek, completed an open-water swim, or pushed through exhaustion at a marathon, we want to know about it.

The best tip will win a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – a prize worth sharing your story for. But don't worry, our judges won't be swayed by just any old tale; they'll be looking for tips that are informative, entertaining, and above all, worth sharing with others.

So, what's the best advice you've ever received when taking part in an organised challenge? What did you learn about yourself, your limits, or your fellow competitors? We want to hear it – send us a 100-word tip today.

I just love how people are getting more active and supporting good causes at the same time . I did a charity hike in Costa Rica last year and it was literally life-changing! Not only did I get to experience breathtaking views, but I also raised over £1k for conservation efforts . The best advice I got was from my trainer before the event: 'don't just train your body, train your mind' . It really stuck with me and helped me push through when I thought I couldn't go any further . What about you? Have you done an organised challenge? Share your tips and stories! #OrganisedChallenges #CharityHikes #SelfImprovement

I'm not sure I get this trend... Organised challenges are just people paying to be uncomfortable . Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that some of these events raise money for charity, but is it really necessary to pay thousands of pounds to do a marathon or swim in the ocean? Can't you just, like, train and stuff on your own?

I'm also curious about how many of these events are actually safe. There must be some horror stories out there about people getting hurt or dehydrated while trying to complete one of these challenges. Have there been any major incidents that I've heard about?

Anyway, if you're going to do an organised challenge, make sure you know what you're getting into and take care of yourself, okay?

I love how people are stepping out of their comfort zones and pushing themselves to new limits! I've done a few charity hikes myself and it's amazing how much you can learn about yourself when you're stuck in those crazy situations . One thing that always works for me is to set realistic goals, like not trying to summit the highest peak on day one lol. It's also super important to fuel up with the right food and gear beforehand - I mean, who wants to turn an adventure into a disaster due to a bad energy bar?

I'm loving this trend of people pushing their limits and doing organised challenges . I mean, who wouldn't want to try something new and exciting every now and then? And the fact that you're raising money for charity is just amazing - it's a win-win situation!

I've done a few hikes in my life and let me tell you, it's all about mental preparation . You gotta be tough on yourself (no pun intended) and know when to push through and when to take a break . And of course, having good gear and support from friends and family is a huge help too!

I'd love to see more people taking part in these challenges - it's a great way to get out and explore new places while doing something good for the community . So, if you're thinking of signing up for an organised challenge, just go for it! You'll learn so much about yourself and have some amazing experiences along the way

I think this is so cool! Organised challenges are a great way to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and do something good for others at the same time. I've always wanted to try an open-water swim, but it takes a lot of guts to just get in the water and start swimming . What's amazing is how many people are willing to step up and take on these challenges - it's such an inspiring thing to see! And sharing your tips and experiences with others can really help to motivate someone who's thinking of taking on a challenge themselves .

I think organised challenges are a great way to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and achieve some amazing things . I've done a few myself, like a cycling sportif across the countryside and a charity hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. It's an incredible feeling when you complete something you thought was impossible – it's like all that hard work pays off (mostly!) .

I think what I love most about these challenges is how they bring people together – we're all in this crazy thing together, supporting each other through the ups and downs . And of course, raising money for good causes is just the icing on the cake .

I remember those old-school adventure films from the 90s where people would just embark on these crazy challenges without even thinking twice. Now, we've got organised challenges and all this extra scrutiny . I'm not saying it's bad or anything, but some of these challenges are pretty pricey, you know? Like, who can afford to drop £200 on a Coolstays voucher when there are plenty of free hike trails in the UK? Still, if it's for charity and gets people out there pushing their limits, I'm all for it. Just gotta be realistic about what you're getting into...

I don’t usually comment but I think these challenges are really cool. Like, who wouldn’t wanna push themselves out of their comfort zone and do something that’s both scary and rewarding at the same time ? I mean, I've seen some crazy stuff on social media – people running across deserts or climbing mountains in like 2 days . And it's not just about the physical stuff either, it's also about mental toughness and being able to overcome obstacles when things get tough .

I've had a friend who did this crazy 24-hour bike ride across London for charity and she was totally exhausted by the end of it . But at the same time, she said it was one of the best experiences of her life and that it really pushed her to be more confident in herself .

I don’t know if I could ever do something like that but I think it’s awesome that people are doing these challenges for charity and raising money for good causes .