---
title: Challenge message board
description: Post updates, comment, like, and share photos on a challenge message board
order: 47
---

# Challenge message board

When the organizer enables it, the **Messages** tab is a social feed for the challenge — participant posts, organizer announcements, comments, and likes.

**Path:** Challenge page → **Messages** (`/challenges/<slug>/messages/`)

If the tab is missing, the organizer disabled the message board. On **public** challenges, messages are off by default until the organizer turns them on. Visiting `/messages/` directly redirects to the challenge home when the board is disabled.

## Who can post

| Who | What they see |
|-----|----------------|
| **Registered participant** | Full feed, **Add message** button, comments, and likes |
| **Signed-in non-participant** | Feed is readable, but posting is locked — join the challenge first |
| **Visitor** | Same locked state if the challenge is public |

## Read posts

The feed shows newest posts first and loads more as you scroll (10 posts at a time). Each post may include:

- Text from a participant, the organizer, or **DistantRace** (system messages)
- One or more **photos** — thumbnails load on demand; tap to open full size
- **Like** count and **comment** count

Click a post to expand **comments** or see who liked it.

## Create a post

1. Open **Messages** while logged in as a registered participant.
2. Write your message (up to 5000 characters).
3. Optionally attach **multiple images**.
4. Submit — the post appears for other participants.

Empty messages are rejected.

## Comment and like

- **Comment** on a post to reply in a thread under that message.
- **Like** a post once — likes are visible to other participants. There is no unlike.

Posting messages, commenting, and posting images may count toward [Step game daily tasks](step-game-daily-tasks.md) when the organizer configured those goal types.

## Organizer posts

Club staff can post as the **organizer** — these appear with the club name and logo on a highlighted header. Use the board for announcements, motivation, or Q&A.

When the feed is empty and you are a participant, you see a **No messages yet** prompt with the add button.

## Related

- [After joining a challenge](after-joining-a-challenge.md)
- [Contact the organizer](contact-the-organizer.md)