Coatesville, Phoenixville go ‘toe to toe’

COATESVILLE >> In an effort to promote the health benefits of walking, highlight downtown walking routes and determine which community takes the greatest number of steps, residents in Coatesville and Phoenixville are lacing up their shoes for the second annual “Ville to Ville Challenge.”

The six-week challenge, which runs until Nov. 3, is part of the WalkWorks ChesCo! program, a county-wide initiative with a goal for all residents to collectively take five billion steps by the end of the year.

“Currently, WalkWorks ChesCo! has tallied more than 3.2 billion steps, but with competitions like the Ville to Ville Challenge, we are finding creative ways to get walking, which in turn makes us healthier,” said Chester County Health Director Jeanne Casner.

Last year, the first Ville to Ville Challenge added more than 145 million steps to the WalkWorks ChesCo! total, which equates to nearly 69,000 miles. Anyone who lives, works in or loves the Coatesville and Phoenixville communities can create a team and join either Coatesville on the Move or Activate Phoenixville. To register, go to http://www.chesco.org/ walkworks, encourage friends, family and co-workers to register too, then create a team and join the Ville to Ville Challenge.

WalkWorks ChesCo! encourages people throughout the county to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle. It is the county’s response to the national Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge – a two-year competition that empowers communities across the nation to create a positive health impact.

For more information about the WalkWorks ChesCo! program and how to register your steps, go to http://www.chesco. org/walkworks.

SUBMITTED PHOTO “Coatesville on the Move” team members finished the poker walking challenge at the steps of the Coatesville Library.