The Detroit Conference has finished second in the Elite 8 Challenge, a Virgin HealthMiles challenge that pitted members of the Detroit Conference against seven other conferences from September 23-October 31. The Elite 8 Challenge was sponsored by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits for all conferences that participate in the walking program but are not enrolled in HealthFlex, the health care plan of the GBOPHB.
The Illinois-Great Rivers Conference finished first in the challenge with an average of 302,704 steps per day, followed by Detroit with 293,503. The Arkansas Conference placed third with 289,811 steps, and was followed by East Ohio (280,033), Eastern Pennsylvania (279,508), Iowa (266,343) and Peninsula-Delaware (246,839). The California-Pacific Conference rounded out the field with 228,793 steps.
The Detroit Conference had the most participants of any conference, with 148 individuals enrolling in the challenge. Forty-eight percent of the active participants in the conference participated in the challenge, the second-highest among the conferences.
Over 900 people from all eight conferences participated in the challenge. Eight walkers tied for first place with a maximum possible step count of 870,000 during the challenge, including the Detroit Conference's Dennis Munger. Three other members of the conference finished in the top 25: Krystn Nyquist (11th place, 827,466 steps), the Rev. Thomas Tarpley (19th place, 729,165), and the Rev. Don Gotham (25th place, 693,021).
The Virgin HealthMiles walking program was introduced in the Detroit Conference in December 2009. Eligible participants to the conference-funded program include all participants, spouses, and dependents (ages 18-24) that are currently enrolled in the Detroit Conference Active Health Insurance Plan. These individuals can join the HealthMiles program free of charge by visiting the Virgin HealthMiles Web site. Retirees and spouses enrolled in the Conference Retiree Health Insurance Plan are also eligible to join the HealthMiles program free of charge, but must contact the Rev. Donald Emmert, Conference Benefits Office, for a retiree enrollment form.
Family members or friends of those enrolled in the Virgin HealthMiles program get all the great features and benefits of the HealthMiles program, plus up to $300 a year in rewards, for only $9.99 per month. The cost to join is $29.99, which includes the first month of membership and the GoZone pedometer. To enroll family and friends of participants in the HealthMiles program, please visit www.virginhealthmiles.com/umcfriends.
Participants in the program will receive a GoZone pedometer to record their steps and will also have access to a personalized Web page where they can view and record their activity over time, monitor progress towards rewards, redeem HealthMiles, and more. Participants will also be able to earn HealthMiles by tracking their physical activity on the GoZone pedometer and uploading their steps - with a PC or Mac - to their account. HealthMiles are awarded based on the amount of steps taken each day.
Participants in the program can earn up to $300 a year in rewards for getting active and tracking their progress. As participants engage in the HealthMiles program, they will proceed through a series of five Reward Levels where they will earn HealthCash, good to spend on gift cards to over 40 national retailers or take as cash.
The Virgin HealthMiles program is designed to eliminate many obstacles to regular exercise - lack of time, lack of motivation, cost, and boredom - by bringing a fun, interactive program that brings rewards, group encouragement, and friendly competition (if desired). The HealthMiles program enables participants of all fitness levels to get involved and improve their health by doing a daily activity - walking.
For more information regarding the Virgin HealthMiles program, please e-mail the Rev. Donald Emmert, Conference Benefits Officer or call him at 810-233-5500, ext. 353.
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