Vernon County holds first in Governor's challenge

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon presents Janet and David Day autographed Governors Challenge shirts and medals for the miles they logged in the Challenge during his visit to Nevada Nov. 12.

Nevada Daily Mail

With 52,000 miles logged so far, Vernon County remains at the forefront in the Governor's 100 Missouri Miles Challenge.

"So far we have 1,370 people signed up and the challenge ends Dec. 31," said Jennifer Breedlove, a representative of Healthy Vernon County.

For reaching the 1,000 sign-up challenge, Healthy Vernon County will donate Pulse Tempo playground equipment to Walton Park.

"We're hoping to have the equipment up by the spring," Breedlove said.

Pulse Tempo, a multisensory, interactive playground equipment, plays music and flashes lights on a 20-foot by 5-foot painted slab of concrete.

"I can see children, families, teens, adults and toddlers all enjoying this equipment," Parks and Recreation Director Dana Redburn said. "None of the places around here have one of these."

Janet and David Day received a medal and T-shirt from Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon for the 1,390 miles and 1,277 miles each logged respectively.

Katie Bones, senior program coordinator for Healthy Vernon County, said the group's ongoing challenge will also reward individuals.

"For this challenge, we want people to exercise as much as possible," Bones said. "We have four milestones for rewarding prizes."

For 350 miles, participants are eligible for one of 10 $50 gift cards to Verco Sporting Goods or Nature's Station. For 500 miles, participants are eligible for one of three iPod Nanos. For 750 miles, participants are eligible for one of two iPad2s. For 1,000 miles, participants are eligible for a weekend getaway to Big Cedar Resort in Branson.

"Any activity can be converted into miles," she said. "Anyone and everyone can participate. It's a great opportunity for Vernon County. Other organizations can tie into our challenge with their own challenges."

Heartland tied in with Healthy Vernon County with its 60 Days-6,000 Miles challenge for employees.

"We've already passed our goal," Betsy Curtis, Heartland director of marketing/community relations, said. "Without adding last week's miles, we have 5,825 miles charted."

Heartland will wrap up its challenge Saturday.

"Any way we can enhance and improve employees physical health, we assist overall mental health," Heartland CEO Alyson Harder said. "I'm impressed with our employees. I'm excited to see nearly 100 employees watching their pedometers and living healthy."

Thousands of Missourians have signed up in the governor's challenge and more than 100 million miles have been logged.