Take part in the Brandeis Walking Challenge

Feb. 18, 2009

The Brandeis Walking Challenge, sponsored by the Office of Human Resources as part of the university's Wellness Program, is a team-fitness challenge designed to encourage exercise, health and fitness at Brandeis University. Each team is composed of five employees.

Give your team a catchy name, select a captain (someone who will motivate the team to exercise and submit logs on time) and then e-mail your team roster to Ryan Gill at rdgill@brandeis.edu. The team sign up sheet is located on the Human Resources Web site.

Human Resources will provide the necessary forms to enroll in the program. All participants will receive a Welcome Packet. If you need assistance finding a team, Human Resources will attempt to match you with other employees who are looking to participate.

What’s involved?

The Brandeis Walking Challenge will run from March 9, 2009 to May 1, 2009. Participants do not need to walk at Brandeis, nor must they walk with team members. You can walk on either the Brandeis indoor or outdoor track during lunch, around your neighborhood after work, or on a treadmill first thing in the morning. At the end of each week, all participants should record the distance and time they spent walking; team captains will forward the totals to Ryan Gill at rdgill@brandeis.edu. 

Scoring

Each mile walked = 2 points, each 30 minutes walked = 1 point.

Example: A participant walks two miles (four points) in 30 minutes (one point), for a total of five points for that walking session.

Each Friday, team captains should submit their team’s exercise log to Ryan Gill at rdgill@brandeis.edu. Ryan will post team points on the Web site. On the last Friday of each month, team points will be compiled to determine the winning team for a monthly prize.

Monthly Prizes

Each month during the walking challenge, team points will be totaled and posted to the Web site. The team with the most points for that month will be awarded a prize. In the event of a tie, both teams will be awarded prizes. 

Activities and Events

Special programs, fitness classes and events will be held for participants throughout the challenge. These events are not mandatory, but they do provide a great way to try something different, cultivate relationships with your teammates and competitors and qualify for bonus points.

Walking Challenge Reception

All participants are invited to attend the Brandeis Walking Challenge Reception and Awards Ceremony, May 6, 2009, to celebrate their achievements. Prizes will be awarded to the top individual participants and teams. The three highest-scoring teams will be recognized for their achievements, and the grand prize will be bestowed upon the team with the highest point total.

For the Walking Challenge forms, please go to the Human Resources Web site.

Any questions should be directed to Ryan Gill at rdgill@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4474.