Competition

Recapping the First Hope in the Desert Competition

December 6, 2022 by
Photo credit: Provided by Athletes’ Table
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Last weekend fitness enthusiasts around the world joined together for one common cause: to support women’s safe access to sports in Jericho. 

Hope in the Desert, a partner workout programmed via a free competition December 2-4, was a product of the non-profit organization Athletes’ Table, who aims to bring exercise to communities globally around in a way that’s “SIMPLE”: safe, inclusive, mentored, public, local and equitable.

During the first Hope in the Desert challenge, teams of two completed the chipper-style workout in Belgium, the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK and more. The wide reach speaks volumes according to co-founder and Athletes’ Table President, Jonah German, who said “It truly represents that uniting power of sport that we are working to bring to every community on the planet.”

We caught up with a couple of the participants who did the workout throughout the weekend, and they told us that it was powerful to push through a grueling metcon that had a deeper meaning associated with it — largely the intention of the competition. 

“This workout is not just a workout. It is designed as an experience to bring people together to move their bodies in solidarity with those who do not have the same freedom of movement,” German said. 

If you didn’t get a chance to participate, have no fear; the organization plans to make this particular cause-oriented workout an annual event. And, you can expect to see other challenges from the charity throughout the year to benefit other populations as well. In the meantime, you can still get involved through their regular contribution program. 

Photo credit: Provided by Athletes’ Table

“We are committed to being an organization that is supported by athletes across the globe who want to make the world a better place. We have created a monthly giving program called The Dream Team that let’s you be a part of a team of people who are working together through their contributions to compete against injustice, health inequities, restriction of movement, discrimination etc. So we absolutely invite the entire CrossFit community to be a part of this monthly giving team,” German said. “…We really believe the CrossFit community represents a lot of these values, and hope they may take this opportunity to become a teammate of ours as well.”

Morning Chalk Up is honored to be an event partner for the competition, and you can learn more about partner events by shooting us a note. And to learn more about future competitions through Athletes’ Table, follow along on Instagram (@athletestable).

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