- Olympic spirit at Fera!
Olympic spirit at Fera!
Monday 30 July 2012
The Olympic spirit is going strong at Fera! Staff are taking part in their very own ‘Walk to Olympus’ challenge. The event has been registered with the Civil Service Physical Activity Challenge, which is open to all Civil Service organisations to show their commitment to a fitter and healthier workforce by encouraging staff to ‘get physical’.
Scientists and support staff have formed themselves into teams of eight, with each participant wearing a pedometer for 50 days from the 27th July (Olympics start date) to the 14th September. The pedometers record the number of steps each team completes in a day, and these figures are then entered into the database allowing teams to compete against themselves and each other to see who can be the first to reach Olympus! Prizes will be awarded for top teams and individuals.
The distance from York (the location of Fera’s main site) to Mount Olympus is roughly 2000 miles, and the average number of paces in a mile is about 2000. A team of eight whose members are all averaging over 10,000 steps a day (the recommended target distance for maintaining good health) should therefore complete the challenge to walk from York to Olympus within the 50 days limit. And it’s not just walking staff are being encouraged to do - cycling and swimming activities can also be converted into ‘steps’ and count towards the challenge.
Teams can also choose to seek sponsorship on behalf of the British Heart Foundation, Fera’s nominated charity for the event.