Stepping up to the challenge

By Mike Porter

Representatives of the 14 VCU teams that participated in the 2013 Global Corporate Challenge were recognized today at a luncheon and celebration on campus. The challenge focuses on workplace health and wellness around the world by encouraging employees to walk, cycle or swim.  

Belonging to teams called the “Ram Runners,” “Walking Havoc,” “Make It Real,” the “Ginter Gals” and more, members walked, swam or cycled every day for 16 weeks, rain or shine. Each of VCU’s 98 participants aimed for a minimum of 10,000 steps every day. Steps were monitored through Global Corporate Challenge Pulse pedometers, distributed in May at the start of the challenge.  

VCU’s teams tallied an impressive 124,650,325 steps and logged 49,571 miles during the challenge. That’s like crossing the United States 21 times. VCU’s participants walked an average of 11,835 steps every day.

“It is an excellent and fun way to promote employee health,” said Debbie Fitzgerald, coordinator of work/life resources for VCU Human Resources.

VCU’s teams competed against each other and corporate entries from around the world. In all, 262,000 people participated in the 2013 Global Corporate Challenge.

VCU’s top team, “TeamIT,” was honored with individual medals. Fitzgerald accepted a trophy recognizing VCU’s participation.

Subscribe for free to the weekly VCU News email newsletter at http://newsletter.news.vcu.edu/ and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox every Thursday.