Making a move together: Our MOORATHON for health and bog conservation

What do health, exercise and moors have in common? At first glance, perhaps not very much. However, the MOORATHON brings these topics together in a unique way. As part of our SDG Labs, SDG 3 – ‘Good Health and Well-being’ – will be the focus in August and September. In keeping with this, we’re taking part in Mission to Marsh’s MOORATHON in 2026. This Germany-wide participatory campaign combines exercise with active bog conservation: over 42 days, participants collect kilometres of exercise, thereby supporting projects to protect and restore bogs.

Every kilometre counts

Our team members have also been taking part since 3 August. Whether walking, running, cycling, rowing or simply on the way to the coffee machine: their activities can be tracked via the Summitree app. What makes the MOORATHON special is that the distance covered is converted into bog conservation. Sponsors use this as a basis to support restoration projects, including one near Osnabrück. This turns a small amount of everyday exercise into a contribution to your own health and, at the same time, to the protection of valuable ecosystems. Find out more about the MOORATHON from Mission to Marsh

Schulz & Sohn versus Schulz & Sohn

For us, it’s also about sporting ambition. We’ve formed two teams: Team 1: Staff from Hall 3 Team 2: Staff from Halls 1 and 2 The decisive factor is the average number of kilometres covered per participant. At the end, a joint team prize awaits the winning team. After two out of six weeks, Team 2 is currently just ahead of Team 1, with 11.9 square metres of protected moorland per participant compared to 10.6 square metres. The teams are still very close together, so it remains exciting. So everything is still up for grabs.

Small routines, big impact

For us, the MOORATHON ties in particularly well with SDG 3, as good health often begins with small changes in everyday life. Anyone who spends many hours at a desk can stand up now and then, change position or incorporate short stretching exercises. Even a phone call or online meeting can sometimes be conducted whilst standing. If you regularly go to the water dispenser, you can consciously use the walk there as a short break for some movement. It’s not about turning every working day into a workout. It’s much more important to incorporate movement naturally into your daily routine and to treat your body to a bit of variety on a regular basis.

Breaks are also part of staying healthy

For us, health also means consciously taking time to relax. Short breaks can help you recharge your batteries and clear your head. A short walk in the fresh air, a few minutes’ exercise or simply a conscious break can already make a difference. The key is to find out what works for you. For the MOORATHON, this means: every step counts. For our health and for a good cause.

Making a difference together

Our SDG Labs consistently show that sustainability has many facets. This time, we’re combining health and wellbeing with the protection of our moors. We’re delighted that so many team members are already taking part and can’t wait to see which team comes out on top in the end. Perhaps there’ll be the odd extra walk, a bike ride or a detour to the coffee machine before the 42 days are up. Because with the MOORATHON, it doesn’t matter how you get moving. The main thing is that you make a difference.