Anyone! You can take on the challenge individually, with a partner or with your whole family, whatever works for you. Everyone is welcome and you can take however long you like. Some may do 26.2 miles in one day on a bike, or maybe you’ll walk a mile a day over just under a month.

For this challenge, anything goes! Any time you are moving and getting in those steps or miles, it counts! A morning run, 20 minutes on an exercise bike, or running around your garden with your family all goes towards your 26.2 target. Just add everything all together to get your total miles.

Many smart phones have built in pedometers and fitness trackers which are stored under the fitness and wellbeing sections on your mobile, but there are also several free apps you can download. The type of app you use will depend on the type of exercise you do: Strava is great for runs or walks outside of the house, while a step counter is good for anyone doing at home workouts or games in the house or garden.

To help you convert your movement into miles you can use these simple calculations below, or alternatively a number of conversion websites can be found online that will do it for you:

1km = 0.62 miles

2,000 adult steps = 1 mile (although we suggest you could halve this to 0.5 miles for children as they have shorter legs!)

Once you're worked out your mileage don't forget to add it to your fundraising page either daily or weekly depending on how many miles you've been covering each day.

You’ll be supported every step - or hop, skip or jump - of your challenge. Our fundraising team are on hand to support you throughout and will send you your own Autistica branded t shirt. We’ll be there to help with exercise ideas to cover those miles, fundraising tips and motivational support.

As you progress with your marathon and reach key marathon milestones, you’ll receive exclusive videos and information from our researchers across the country about the work Autistica is doing and how your support makes such an amazing difference at such a challenging time.

As this is a challenge you complete in your own home, getting started couldn’t be simpler.

1) Decide whether you want to complete this challenge on your own or as part of a team with your friends and family

2) Sign up using our simple form below

3) Decide what fitness tracker you want to use

4) Set up your fundraising page on Facebook or JustGiving. We suggest aiming for £100.

5) Start tracking those miles!

Each individual that has taken part will receive an online certificate and medal upon completion, regardless of whether they’ve taken part on their own or as a group. You’ll also receive a very special video thanking you for all the hard work you have done, highlighting what a difference fundraisers like you make.

1) For your health: we all know the importance of exercise, but it’s more important than ever to be healthy and strong.

2) For autism research: right now, we need as much support as possible from individuals and families to ensure we can provide the autistic community with evidenced information to help them through this incredibly challenging time. Your support is truly life-changing.

3) To complete a fun challenge: we all need some fun right now so the challenge is a great way to bring people together and have something new and exciting to work towards.