Sometimes you need a little bit of an incentive to help get people moving, at least that’s the story behind Cary Medical Center’s recent 96,100 Steps Challenge.

Through a collaboration between Cary Medical Center, Pines Health Services, Townsquare Media (that’s 96,100 for our radio station, Q96.1), St. John Valley Pharmacy, Hebert Rexall Pharmacy, and Beaulieu’s Garage and Body Shop, the 96,100 Steps Challenge was created to help people improve their fitness level by increasing the number of steps they take every day. Every time registrants reached the 96,100 step mark, they received one entry into the grand prize drawing for a cruise to Bermuda. Apparently, this prize was extremely motivating to the nearly 250 participants who walked more than 65,000,000 steps combined – that’s over 31,000 miles!

Last year’s 200 Miles in 200 Days fitness challenge winner, Tammy Jo Knoll of Caribou, received 22 entries into the drawing for logging more than 2,000,000 steps during the challenge which ran from February 1 to May 15. She was the adult with the highest number of steps logged. Seven year old Kyryn Stickney of Presque Isle logged 340,000 steps during the challenge making her the youth who logged the most steps. Both Tammy and Kyryn will be receiving a Cary Medical Center duffel bag stuffed with Cary swag.

On May 21, while simultaneously LIVE on air at Big Country 96.9 and on Healthy You’s Facebook page (facebook.com/caryhealthyyou), Bethany Zell drew the grand prize winner, Carol Skinner of Garfield Plantation, who logged more than 1,000,000 steps during the challenge. Skinner was thrilled with the news and shared that the challenge had provided just the motivation that she needed to get moving. “I’ve lost nearly 50 pounds since I started the 96,100 steps challenge,” she shared with Bill Flagg, Director of Public and Community Relations at Cary Medical Center, when he called to notify her of her big win.

“While prizes are a big part of the initial attraction to the program, people start realizing the health benefits associated with the contest and they become even more motivated to participate and then continue with the healthy habit,” said Bethany Zell, Healthy You Program Director at Cary Medical Center.  According to Zell, several participants reported improved health and fitness as a result of their increased physical activity throughout the challenge period.

Cary Medical Center has plans to offer future community-based health and wellness initiatives and fitness challenges like the 96,100 Steps as they continue to focus on Creating Healthier Communities.  This time they accomplished that mission…96,100 steps at a time.

This information was submitted to us as part of a press release. If you would like to share your community news or event with our audience, please email newspi@townsquaremedia.com.

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