Skip to main content

Chamber team wins health challenge

By October 21, 2009General
Completing a total of 264 miles in three weeks, the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce walking team edged the team from Delta State University to win the first Cleveland/Delta State Health Challenge.  The Delta State team finished with a total of 244 miles completed, while the City of Cleveland team completed 147 miles in the three-week period.
 
During last month’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new fitness trail at Delta State University, President John Hilpert challenged Cleveland Mayor Billy Nowell and the City of Cleveland to a walking contest.  The Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce quickly assembled a team and entered into the competition.
 
The contest included 11 team members from each organization.  The first team to walk a cumulative 250 miles, which is equal to the distance from the Delta State fitness trail to the Blue Cross/Blues Shield Foundation of Mississippi headquarters and back, was declared the winner. The competition began on October 1.
 
“It was a spirited competition and our congratulations go to the Chamber team,” said Delta State President Dr. John Hilpert. “While our goal was to win the challenge, hopefully, all of the participants enjoyed the exercise and feel healthier after the competition.” 
 
The opening of the fitness trail at Delta State, and the subsequent health challenge, marked the first phase of the “Healthy Campus/Community Initiative” which seeks to build a campus and community culture of wellness while addressing the unique health challenges of the Delta. The initiative is led by Delta State’s College of Education, which was awarded a $700,000 grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.