Glossop Mountain Rescue Team members join, from left, Chris Roberts and Rob Sykes of Mammut, Andrew Denton, Britain on Foot, Amanda Searle from Walk4life and Simon Lee from GO Outdoors

Britain’s biggest outdoor retailer is teaming up with industry bosses and mountain rescuers in challenging to the public to walk round the world.

GO Outdoors’ Walk Around the World in 80 Days Challenge will begin later this month, with walkers urged to tackle the equivalent of the earth’s circumference, almost 25,000 miles.

Any walks completed during the period can be logged on the company’s website and a voluntary donation made to mountain rescue.

The challenge is being backed by the industry’s Britain on Foot campaign, gear brand Mammut, Walk4Life, Swiss Tourism and Ordnance Survey.

Russel Bennett of GO Outdoors said: “This is a simple challenge to celebrate a summer of walking and encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the outdoors.

“It’s about bringing the walking community together with a single aim in mind. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are, or how far you walk. Just as long as you do.

“And it couldn’t be easier to get involved.”

Andrew Denton, chief executive of the Outdoor Industries Association which launched Britain on Foot, said: “This event epitomises the spirit of the Britain on Foot campaign.

The Walk Around the World in 80 Days challenge has already seen some of the most influential outdoor organisations in the country all working together for the first time with a common aim.

“But now we need the British public to sit up and take notice.

“I’d urge anyone taking a walk this summer to get involved by telling us how far they’ve walked. You can declare your miles in a matter of seconds. And together we can walk around the world in 80 days.”

From the 27 July to 14th October, walkers can declare their walks on the event web page. Regular updates will display the combined progress of the walk on a global map.

Mammut marketing manager Rob Sykes said: “This summer will see thousands of us enjoying the outdoors.

“There’ll be everything from short fun family walks, to Three Peaks charity challenges.

“This campaign is an opportunity for us all to come together; share our passion for the outdoors; enjoy the health benefits and even raise a little money for worthy causes.”

Each walker posting their miles online will receive a free trial of the Getamap service worth £7.99.

The website will also feature a prize draw for an eight-day hiking holiday for two worth £2,000 donated by the Swiss Travel Centre.

Walkers can log their miles on the GO Outdoors website from 27 July.

Planning your walk? Why not use our great grough route system? Ordnance Survey mapping of the whole of Great Britain and a comprehensive route planning system for just £2.