Starting this academic year and running each term, Wilder will host a hybrid fitness festival for students. Whether you train all the time or have never done something like this, the event is open for everyone to push themselves out of their comfort zones. The Durham Tab spoke to Leonie MacDougall, a second year anthropology student and senior exec member for the Wilder Games, and here’s what she told us about this new and exciting event.
What are the Wilder Games?
The Wilder Games are an all-day event, featuring live DJs, drinks, and food. If you decide to compete, the challenge will test your fitness in a full-body hybrid course. But there is also the opportunity to support from the fan zone.
Leonie told us that this event is the product of a shifting cultural focus from going out and drinking to focusing on sports and health. As a result, the event seeks to merge these two spheres to create a fun, social, festival-style event with fitness at its centre.
The hybrid course will blend strength, endurance, and speed tests — think rowing, running, skiing, lifting — all designed to push competitors out of their comfort zone.
@thewildergames Maybe our exec should stick to running the fitness events
The first event – their North Eastern Games – will be held on the 16th of November in the Sunderland Live Arena (previously Rainton Arena).
How can I get involved?
Participants will represent their universities by competing in pairs across women’s, men’s, and mixed divisions – meaning it’s the perfect opportunity to team up with your most athletic mate. As well as good music, a bustling atmosphere, and loads of spectators, every competitor will receive professional event photos and a medal.
If you have ever attended one of Wilder’s popular, high-energy Fight Night events, you’ll be familiar with the high-production level. The Wilder Games will be no different, with sparks and your name in lights and on the speakers.
For more updates, you can check out the Wilder Games on socials.
How do I know if I should compete?
If you’re not looking to compete, there are fan zones for spectators, so you can still go along and support your fellow Durham students. A huge aspect of the event will be people getting drinks (with Rotate DJing in the background, for the north eastern event) and cheering on friends.
However, if you’re interested in competing but you’re worried as you’ve never done something like this before, this event is built for you to try something new and welcomes first timers as well as athletes. Leonie said: “It’s a great introduction for those who have never done this kind of hybrid fitness.” She added: “It can be as competitive or as noncompetitive as people want to make it.”
Although the games aren’t limited to Durham, with Leeds, Leeds Beckett, Newcastle, and Northumbria also encouraged to compete, the games are firmly rooted in Durham, with the Wilder Group having started in Durham, an exec made up of current students and alumni, and Sunderland Live as the chosen venue Leonie described Durham as a “starting hub” of “something really cool and exciting.”
As well as the Wilder Games, Wilder is also launching a related run club, which is another way to get involved in something at once social and sporty.
For more of the latest news, guides, gossip, and memes, follow The Durham Tab on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
