Here’s exactly why you should get involved in the Wilder Games at Durham this term

Starting this academic year and running each term, Wilder, a student-focused events company in Durham, will be hosting a hybrid fitness festival for students. Whether you train all the time or are completely new to the fitness scene, 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 had to say about this new and exciting event.

What are the Wilder Games?

@thewildergames

Maybe our exec should stick to running the fitness events 🫣🏋️

♬ original sound – thewildergames

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’s also the opportunity to support from the fan zone.

Leonie told us this event is the product of a cultural shift in young people, who now seem to be more focused on sports and health than on going out drinking. 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.

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.

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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, as well as blaring 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. An important aspect of the event will be people getting drinks (with Rotate DJing in the background, for the northeastern event) and cheering on friends.

However, if you’re interested in competing but feeling a little apprehensive because it would be your first time, the event is built for you to try something new. First-timers are welcomed with open arms just as much as experienced athletes are. “It’s a great introduction for those who have never done this kind of hybrid fitness,” Leonie explained. 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 events are firmly rooted in our city, with the Wilder Group having been founded here – an exec comprised of current students and alumni.

The chosen venue is Sunderland Live, and 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 both social and sporty at uni.

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