The 13th annual Schuyler Steps Out community walking challenge has wrapped up with a repeat winner, as well as awards for Most Valuable Walkers.
Grand Prix Fitness of Montour Falls now has two wins in a row. Grand Prix Fitness’ “Workout Warriors” took the lead in Week 1, and completed the 8-week program with most cumulative average steps.
The 26 member team totaled a whopping 25.5 million steps, averaging 17,351 steps per person per day.
Watkins Glen Central Schools finished in second behind Grand Prix Fitness – replicating their one-two finish from 2018. The “School Steppers” followed Grand Prix Fitness all the way from Week 1. The 10 member team walked a total of 8.1 million steps, averaging 15,147 steps per person per day.
New at the top is Cargill Salt, finishing in 3rd after jumping to that spot in Week 3. With 16 walkers, the “Salted Steps” totaled 11.3 million steps, averaging 12,613 steps per person per day.
Nominated by their teammates, two MVP Awards are being named – Sara Gaughan from the NYS Department of Transportation’s “Smooth Operators,” and Ralph Diliberto of the “Watkins School Steppers.”
Gaughan’s smiling face kept her team motivated. “Seeing her walk at work has been inspirational. Sara is very encouraging and positive,” her nomination read.
Diliberto logged almost 1.1 million steps on his own. “He has logged the most steps on the school team for years,” his nomination read. “He has also been a great cheerleader for our team.”
In all, participating teams tallied 150.6 million total steps, or over 75.3 thousand miles – the equivalent of 3 trips around the Earth. An average of 277 people from 13 teams participated in the 8-week program, developed to get people up and active in the late winter and early spring.
The program is sponsored by Schuyler Hospital and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
For more information on the Schuyler Steps Out program, contact Michelle Benjamin, Director of Community Relations at (607) 210-1950 or go to www.schuylerhospital.org