To motivate people to exercise, sometimes you need to add a little extra incentive. That’s the theory behind Cary Medical Center’s 96,100 Steps Challenge and it sure seemed to work considering participants walked over 26,000 miles.
Contributed photo
High stepper, Randy Pitre of Caribou was the overall winner of Cary Medical Center’s 96,100 Steps Challenge, logging in 3, 363,500 steps within a 96 day period.
In just its third year, more than 450 people, ranging in ages from 4 to 80-plus years old, stepped up to the challenge. Through a unique collaboration between Cary Medical Center, Citadel radio station Q96.1, and Wal-Mart, the 96,100 Steps Challenge was created to help people improve their fitness level by increasing the number of steps they take every day.
Upon registration, participants were given a free pedometer to keep track of their daily steps. Every time they reached the 96,100 steps mark throughout the 96 days of the contest, they were entered in a raffle for prizes like an iPod, digital camera, and GPS navigation system.
“While prizes are a big part of the initial attraction to the program, people start realizing the health benefits associated with the contest and they become even more motivated to participate,” said Kim Jones, Public Relations Coordinator at Cary Medical Center. According to Jones, several participants reported improved health and fitness by increasing their physical activity through walking and running. By the end of the contest on August 20, this year’s participants logged an incredible 54,700,000 steps or approximately 26,000 miles.
New contest features in 2008 included the addition of a buddy category in which two-person teams walked together and combined their steps. According to Jones, this new category attracted several people to register for the contest for the first time.
“The buddy category was very popular. Participants commented that walking with a partner helped to motivate them. When you have a friend or family member as your buddy to encourage you, it helps keep you going,” said Jones.
In addition to the new buddy category, this year’s 96,100 Steps Challenge also included prizes for the highest stepping adult, highest stepping teen, and raffles amongst all participants who logged at least one 96,100 steps goal. Congratulations to all winner’s for 2008: Randy Pitre of Caribou, highest adult stepper; Hillary Trainer of Easton, adult raffle winner; Angela McDonald of Caribou, highest teen stepper; Samuel Belanger of Caribou, teen raffle winner; Jordon Sandstrom of New Sweden, child raffle winner; and Tammy Knoll and Susie Corriveau of Caribou; highest buddy steppers)
