Published: January 28, 2009 07:44 pm         

Daniels, state officials log 4.2M steps in Capitol Steps Challenge

Contest pitted governors, colleagues against one another in tracking physical activity

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mitch Daniels and 19 state officials logged more than 4.2 million steps over a two-week period in a contest with other governors and their colleagues tracking physical activity.

“Being a healthier state is something we take seriously and we’re competitive here in Indiana so the idea of a challenge made sense,” said Daniels. “So many Hoosiers have already joined us in trying to be a little more active but there is still much more we can do.”

Daniels, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and first lady Cheri Daniels with 17 other state officials participated in the Virgin HealthMiles Capitol Steps Challenge by wearing GoZone pedometers that tracked the number of steps they took each day from Jan. 1-14. The Indiana team collectively logged more than 2,100 miles and averaged more than 200,000 steps per team member over the period.

Cheri Daniels, Indiana State Health Department Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe and Office of Technology Director Gerry Weaver consistently reached the daily maximum of 30,000 steps each day of the competition, ranking them among the top participants.

Official team and individual results will be announced at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 21. The state with the highest average number of steps per participant will be named the Most Active Governor’s Team and will receive $50,000 to fight childhood obesity from Virgin HealthMiles.

The challenge was issued by Gov. Rick Perry of Texas with the goal of raising national awareness of the correlation between increased activity levels and good health. Other participating states were Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

To compete, a team was required to have a minimum of 10 participants and comprise at least 75 percent of the governor’s cabinet. Gov. Daniels was one of seven governors to participate. During the challenge, the governor wore his pedometer during such events as his second inauguration ceremony and his fifth State of the State address.