ukactive has teamed up with the British University & Colleges Sports (BUCS) to deliver a new fitness initiative designed to overcome the ‘seven year plateau,’ which has seen physical activity participation rates among tertiary students remain stagnant since 2007.

The ‘One Big Thing’ campaign calls on universities to promote physical activity participation by registering to host their own ‘5k anyway’ event for their local student population.

The events require students to cover a 5km (3.1m) distance participating in the physical activity their university or college has nominated, which can range from fancy-dress themed runs, swimming and egg-and-spoon racing to skipping and military fitness obstacle courses.

“Research shows that only half of the student population meet the recommended levels of participation in sport and physical activity. These are the leaders of the future and it’s important that we invest in frameworks that offer non-traditional ways to be physically active and promote health and wellbeing,” said ukactive CEO David Stalker. “Our goal is that this initiative engages 50+ universities from across the UK and has 10,000 students taking part in an event of some kind.”

Universities can sign up online to be part of ‘One Big Thing’ at www.ukactive.com/onebigthing. The events – which ukactive hopes could become annual – will be held at university campuses across the country on Friday 16 May.

Rob Smyth, head of marketing and sales at BUCS, said: “Sport and physical activity is important for all of us, regardless if you are competing at the elite end or just socially and One Big Things 5km allows everyone to get active regardless of finishing in 15 minutes or 55 minutes.”