4th Annual Schuyler Steps Out Program – FingerLakes1.com Archive

Schuyler Hospital has wrapped up its fourth annual Schuyler Steps Out walking challenge, with Boy Scout Troop 2000 walking away as the new “Grand Champion.”The team consisting of scouts, scout leaders and parents concluded the 8-week program with a team of 13 walkers taking over 12 million total steps. They raised the bar from last year’s high of an average 14,900 steps per person per day to 18,600 steps per person per day.Coming in second place was the Sullivan Trail Red Cross team – last year’s champion. The Watkins Glen Wal-Mart team finished third.Members of the 34 participating teams also reported weight loss, joining gyms, healthier habits, positive lifestyle changes, and generally feeling better.Recognized as “most valuable players” by their teams were Pauline Whipple from the Seneca Lake General Store, who challenged herself to new goals each week; and Edythe Jones from Watkins Glen Wal-Mart, who pushed herself to new heights despite some health issues.Named “most improved” by his team was William Vaughn-Russell of Schuyler Hospital, who logged over 1 million steps on his own during the program, and lost 60 pounds. Vaughn-Russell has also changed his dietary habits, and started cycling. His nomination read, “His excitement and motivation are everything Schuyler Steps Out is all about.”Overall, participating teams tallied a record 403 million total steps, or 201 thousand miles – the equivalent of 8 trips around the Earth. An average of 592 people from 34 teams participated in the 8-week program, developed to get people up and active in the late winter and early spring.The program is sponsored by Schuyler Hospital, Wal-Mart and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, along with the Sullivan Trail Red Cross, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Watkins Glen International, and Lakewood Vineyards.For more information on the Schuyler Steps Out program, contact Michelle Benjamin, Director of Community Relations at (607) 535-8879 or go to www.schuylerhospital.org