Landscape Fartlek: Let the Terrain Decide

A fartlek where pace changes come from the terrain of the school grounds or a nearby park, not a whistle: straights, hills, curves, stairs and grass. It builds variable endurance and safe reading of the surroundings.

How to play

1. Walk the route explaining the code: long straight, lively pace; hill, short steps and more effort; curve, easy; stairs, walk; grass, relaxed stride (6 min).
2. First lap in groups of similar pace, with one student carrying the route card and calling out each section (8 min).
3. Stop at a meeting point: pulse check and which section was hardest (2 min).
4. Second lap where each group invents a change for one section (for example, zigzag up the hill) and explains it on arrival (10 min).
5. Final lap walking the route and spotting places they could use outside school hours (4 min).

Rules

• Always walk up and down stairs.
• Groups stay together: if someone falls behind, the group eases off.
• Stay on the marked route and give way to pedestrians in shared areas.
• Stop at the meeting point at the set time.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: adapted route with no stairs; a partner can help on hills if needed.
• Visual impairment: runs with a guide and the code is called out at each section.
• Knee discomfort: walks the hills and jogs easy on the grass.

Learning goals

• Adjust pace to changes in terrain.
• Use the local environment for physical activity.
• Move safely as a group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 10
• route cards: 6

Teacher tip

Walk the route before class and clear any hazards. If your school is flat, use bleachers or ramps; any change of surface works.

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