Thanks to everyone who participated in our inaugural CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge! We had a very nice response and a lot of positive feedback, so hopefully we can do it again next year.

Of course, a very special thank you to Talem Health for sponsoring the event and providing the T-shirts. All of you who didn’t participate are going to be very jealous of how awesome the rest of us look.

And now…on to the winners!

Winners of the $50 Amazon gift card drawing (one entry for each daily screenshot showing over 10,000 steps)

1. Martha Russell
2. Brandon Coleman
3. Caroline Pardo
4. Katie Robinson
5. Daniel Guinee

Winner of $250 Amazon gift card for most steps in one day

Amanda Jamrogiewicz, with an incredible 35,658 steps! I’m tired just looking at it.

Congratulations to all!

Today’s the last day to get those steps in! The CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge ends tonight.

Click here for all the details.

Good luck and happy stepping!

Top 5 Reasons to Participate in the CMEpalooza STEPtacular Challenge

5. It’s not another 5K. I love 5Ks, though I rarely run in organized races because I am slower than a tortoise with plantar fasciitis. These days, it seems like everyone has a 5K. We wanted to do something a little different and something a little more inclusive for CMEpalooza. If, like me, you are slower than a constipated sloth, it doesn’t matter with the STEPtacular Challenge. Steps at any speed are accepted.

4. What else are you going to do? Sit around all weekend watching football/baseball/hockey? (note: I plan to sit around all weekend watching football/baseball/hockey. Well…not hockey. But you should go out and get some steps!)

3. It’s for a good cause. In lieu of an entrance fee, we are asking everyone to please consider joining CMEpalooza and Talem Health in making a donation to the Red Cross Hurricane Ian Relief fund. The recommended amount is $25, or whatever you are comfortable giving. In fact, even if you aren’t participating in the challenge you should do this. Yes, I am trying to guilt trip you into giving a donation. No, I don’t feel bad about it. Here is the link to make a donation.

2. Because Eric VanStone at Talem Health is a good guy and is giving everyone who enters a free performance T-shirt. You’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with the CMEpalooza logo splashed across your chest.

1. Free money. Everyone who enters is eligible for a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card (there are five gift cards; you cannot win more than one.) The person who records and submits the most steps in one day wins a $250 Amazon gift card. The current leader is under 20,000 steps, so not an unsurpassable amount, though more than I will reach sitting around all weekend watching football/baseball/not hockey.