The steps have been taken, the wheels have spun, and during one of the most unprecedented spring seasons in modern history, the 2020 Blue & You Fitness Challenge has come to a successful close. Winners of the Challenge (March 1-May 31) were announced June 23.
Moving together… apart
To increase motivation, the Challenge traditionally encourages participants to find a workout partner. This year, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, participants were reminded to social distance from others and encouraged to keep moving together…apart. Kudos to all participants who found a way to stay motivated to exercise, stay healthy and safe.
Contest by the numbers
This year, 7,900 participants in 116 groups joined the competition. The groups hailed from all across the United States and ranged in size from 2 to 1,175 participants. They averaged 53 days of exercise during the 92-day Challenge, or nearly 4 days per week.
Founders Challenge
Again this year, a special competition was held between the three founders of the Challenge: Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), and the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS).
For the third year in a row, DHS took the top prize in the Founder’s Challenge. Although DHS won the leaderboard, they along with Arkansas Blue Cross took the opportunity to issue a special recognition “The Guiding Star Award” to ADH associates, led by Dr. Nate Smith, director and state health officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, in recognition of their valiant efforts to complete the Challenge under extraordinary circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic. (See videos below).
The 2020 Blue & You Fitness Challenge Winners
Founders’ Challenge:
1st place – Arkansas Department of Human Services
2nd place – Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
3rd place – Arkansas Department of Health
Group Category 1 (2-3 participants)
1st place – Heart Thumpers
2nd place – Lake Area Powersports
3rd place – On The Move
Group Category 2 (4-5 participants)
1st place – Oregon Trail Blazers
2nd place – McGhee Insurance
3rd place – Krebs Brothers
Group Category 3 (6-7 participants)
1st place – Simslimslayers
2nd place – HMS
3rd place – Theodore Jones Elementary
Group Category 4 (8-9 participants)
1st place – Arkansas Diamonds Sr. W Basketball
2nd place – CHSWampuscats
3rd place – Patterson FCU
Group Category 5 (10-11 participants)
1st place – BHMC – Conway
2nd place – HHS Healthy Rowdies
3rd place – Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Group Category 6 (12-15 participants)
1st place – Patterson Mold and Tool
2nd place – AETN
3rd place – BHMC – Stuttgart
Group Category 7 (16-18 participants)
1st place – The Law Group of Northwest Arkansas
2nd place – Arkansas Best Federal Credit Union
3rd place – Magazine School District
Group Category 8 (19-23 participants)
1st place – Legacy TPC
2nd place – Union Bank & Trust Co
3rd place – Harrison Energy Partners
Group Category 9 (24-29 participants)
1st place – Fabulous FHS SPED Team
2nd place – Umarex
3rd place – Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital
Group Category 10 (30-41 participants)
1st place – Crime Lab Calorie-Burning Crusaders
2nd place – MTI2020
3rd place – ACHI
Group Category 11 (42-99 participants)
1st place – K&K Veterinary Supply, Inc.
2nd place – City of La Mesa
3rd place – Arkansas State University-Newport
Group Category 12 (100+ participants)
1st place – Summit Utilities Inc.
2nd place – Searcy Public Schools
3rd place – Unity Health
2020 ACHI Healthy Active Arkansas challenge winners
The Arkansas Center for Health Improve (ACHI) also announced the winners of its Healthy Active Arkansas Hospital Challenge and School Challenge. ACHI holds the Hospital Challenge and School Challenge each year as a complement to the Blue & You Fitness Challenge. ACHI’s challenges focus on hospital and school employees, who are well-positioned to serve as role models.
Winners were chosen based on their participation levels in the Blue & You Fitness Challenge, which was held March 1–May 31
“Our daily lives have been disrupted in countless ways by the COVID-19 pandemic, but getting regular exercise remains important and can help relieve stress,” ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson said. “The Blue & You Fitness Challenge has been an excellent motivator.”
Hospital Challenge
- Small Group Winner – Tie between Levi Hospital and Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway
- Medium Group Winner – Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital
- Large Group Winner – Unity Health
School Challenge
- Small Group Winner – Heart Thumpers (Bergman Public Schools)
- Medium Group Winner – Fabulous FHS SPED Team (Fayetteville High School)
- Large Group Winner – Searcy Public Schools
Mark your 2021 calendar!
The 2021 Fitness Challenge will be held March 1-May 31, 2021. Team captains, watch for registration information, in December 2020.