One does not simply walk into Mordor
The Lord of the Rings Virtual Challenges are a series of branded fitness programs offered by The Conqueror - Virtual Challenges and Medals. Participants sign up for a bundle or individual challenge and, upon completing the target mileage exercised receive a personalized collectible medal.
The two related challenge series are The Lord of the Rings and The Return of the King, each of which has the participant simulating walking across Middle-earth travelling the same distances as described in the stories. A mobile application assists with this, showing the participant where they currently are on the journey. Within each series, each challenge must be completed sequentially before the next challenge can be attempted. During a participant's progress, they will be mailed postcards and stories with imagery from the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings film series.
In addition, The Conqueror pledges to either plant a of tree or prevent ten plastic bottles from entering the oceans for every 20% of every Challenge a participant completes.
The Lord of the Rings
These five challenges in total task participants with walking from the Shire to Mordor, emulating travel required during the events of the titular story. The Medal sent to those who complete the first Challenge (The Shire) will include a replica One Ring, which can then be displayed in the final Medal (Mordor), symbolically placing it in an image of Mount Doom.
| Name | Distance | Challenge Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Shire | 145mi/233km | Follow Frodo and Sam’s path down the route crossing The Shire and going farther from home than they’ve ever been. |
| The Fellowship | 98mi/157km (running and walking) 680mi/1094km (cycling) |
Takes you on Frodo and Sam’s journey from The Prancing Pony to The Doors of Durin. |
| Mines of Moria | 40mi/64km | |
| The Eye of Sauron | 95mi/153km (running and walking) 668mi/1075km (cycling) |
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| Mordor | 282mi/454km | Follow Frodo and Sam’s journey down the route over the wasteland of Mordor and complete the quest by throwing the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. |
The Return of the King
These three challenges in total task participants with simulating the travels of Aragorn throughout The Lord of the Rings.
| Name | Distance | Challenge Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rohan | 80mi/128km (running and walking) 450mi/724km (cycling) |
Takes you on Aragorn’s travels into the Kingdom of Rohan and towards Helm's Deep, where Saruman is sending his Orc hordes. |
| Helm's Deep | 100mi/160km (running and walking) 370km/595km (cycling) |
Takes on Aragorn’s journey from Hornburg, where he proves himself a worthy leader of Men, towards the ghastly Paths of the Dead. |
| Gondor | 70mi/112km (running and walking) 662mi/1065km (cycling) |
Takes you on Aragorn's journey through the heart of the battle of Minas Tirith and towards the Black Gate for Man’s last stand against Sauron. |