Step challenge deadline nears

People can now join the Healthy Kids Spring Step It Up Challenge — a no-cost step program that promotes overall health and well-being for Ohio based schools and the community.

With a minimum of three participants, people can create and register a team made up of school administrators, educators, staff and parents of the student body. The deadline is March 17 to register for the March 20 to April 9 competition, according to a news release.

“This school challenge is popular for many wonderful reasons,” President & CEO Patty Starr stated in the release. “School districts not only lead by example for students, but enjoy some fun competition, while bonding with their team to find ways to be healthier and encourage others to stay on this path.

“An added benefit is that they can win money for health and wellness programs.”

The Ohio school district team that racks up the most steps will win $1,500, while the team with the most steps in each of the six OHSAA District Athletic Board Regions will win $1,000 for their school, the release stated.

Teams will be able to strive to have the highest average total steps, reach the top of the leaderboard, maintain a daily streak, and compete in mini challenges to win gift cards, Fitbit devices and more. In addition to prizes, Health Action Council will donate $500 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio if steppers reach a collective goal.

Participants are only able to join one challenge at a time. They can choose between Healthy Kids Step It Up Challenge for Ohio schools only and Step It Up Challenge.

Organizers have included an activity cap in this challenge to help even the playing field among participants, the release stated. For this challenge, participants will be able to log up to 50,000 steps each day.

Organizers have streamlined the registration process with MoveSpring, their Healthy Kids Step It Up Challenge partner. Create a MoveSpring account online or by downloading the MoveSpring app to a phone phone and then sign up online.

To create a team in a Team Leaderboard Challenge, visit the MoveSpring website. Those with additional questions on creating a team can contact Noelle Reinhart at nreinhart@ healthactioncouncil.org.