WINCH’S ON THE MOVE
Residents answer fitness challenge for a lap around Australia
THE residents of Winchelsea have set themselves a target of walking the collective distance of Australia’s Highway 1 in just six weeks.
The community fitness challenge invites participants to pledge the distance they can walk or run per week, which contributes to a town total and helps them climb towards the 14,500km target.
The idea was founded by local mother of four Angie Mawson who ran a similar, smaller-scale program with players at the Winchelsea Netball Club.
Interest from non-club members was so high that she decided to throw the invitation out to the town to encourage families to exercise together.
Her aim to have about 70 people involved was exceeded early on with more than 250 people now registered.
“We have over 175 individual participants, along with team entries such as our local primary school, our local kindergarten, local businesses and a Strive to Thrive team, which is made up of people who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer,” she said.
“When all these participants are added up, we have well over 250 people involved. People from all walks of life are involved and all ages.”
The simple, free and inclusive initiative has proved effective in getting the town motivated to move. Halfway through week two of the sixweek challenge the group has already covered more than 8500km.
“The buzz in our little community with thanks to this little fitness challenge is infectious and it is wonderful to be part of,” Ms Mawson said.
“We have others who have never attempted to run who are now contemplating entering fun runs and those who used to do a little running now training for marathons.”
The pledges are authenticated using distance tracker uploads from phone or Fitbit trackers.
For more information, or to join, search Fitness Challenge Spring 2017 Info Page on Facebook.
“The buzz in our little community with thanks to this little fitness challenge is infectious and it is wonderful to be part of.” ANGIE MAWSON