Walk & Ride Challenge Winners Announced
Congratulations to the 2023 Walk & Ride Challenge winning teams, and a huge thank you to all participants! County-wide we walked over 57 million steps during the three week Challenge!
Grand Prize Winners
The Challenge has three Grand Prize categories: first, second and third place. To determine the winning teams, we tally each team's total steps and divide by the number of members on the team to arrive at each team’s average number of steps.
Drum roll, please:
First Place: ASHP RAMBLERS from ASHP
The members of ASHP RAMBLERS walked an average of 171,537 steps over the three-week period. Each team member will receive a prize package that includes a $50 Amazon e-gift card and a $50 Bethesda Bucks e-gift card.
Second Place: ASHP PUBS from ASHP
The members of ASHP PUBS walked an average of 158,780 steps over the three-week period. Each team member will receive a $35 Amazon e-gift card.
Third Place: THE DREAM TEAM from The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce
The members of THE DREAM TEAM walked an average of 148,208 steps over the three-week period. Each team member will receive a $25 Amazon e-gift card.
Weekly Prizes
In addition to the Grand Prize winners, each week we awarded a prize to people who walked more than 10,000 steps in a week. Those lucky winners were randomly selected, came from different teams, and each received an e-gift card.
This year, we also had weekly challenges encouraging transportation options and informing participants about traveling in Bethesda. Congrats to all of the weekly winners!
How did participants feel about this year’s Walk & Ride Challenge?
“Last year was my first year as a young professional in Bethesda, so I joined the Walk & Ride Challenge to connect with my coworkers at Imagination Stage and get to know the area we work in. I joined again this year because participating in the challenge is incredibly easy and enjoyable, and there are countless opportunities to win prizes just for walking at work. This year, BTS added to the fun by introducing a Scavenger Hunt. I can't wait to see what they come up with next year!” — Emilee Rae Hibshman, Imagination Stage
“Thanks to ASHP for being involved with Bethesda Transportation Solutions (BTS) and the Challenge. ASHP has been taking part for years now, and I have been taking part every year. Initially, I started to walk because I was having problems with my knees. I thought if I could lose weight, then maybe my knees would not hurt. But the damage to my right knee was already done, so I had to get a knee replacement. But it turns out l like to walk! I make it a point to walk every day, rain or shine, seven days a week, all year round. I walk all the time whether there is a challenge or not! I like being away from my computer at lunchtime and walking during that time. I also enjoy the various contests BTS offers during the challenge and use the gift cards they give us as another incentive to take part in the challenge. This is a great opportunity for the businesses within Bethesda. As long as I am part of ASHP, I would like to be involved.” — Thrity Rangwala, ASHP
“The Walk & Ride Challenge has been a great opportunity to bond with my coworkers while also getting some exercise. When I saw the announcement, I thought it’d be a fun, low-stakes but still structured way to get more movement in my day and to take advantage of the Capital Crescent Trail. I put half-hour appointments on the calendar of everyone on the team for each day we’re in the office so we have a protected walking time and we go together for camaraderie and accountability. Even just tracking my steps has led me to walk more and add lunchtime and after-work walks when I’m working from home rather than consolidating all my errands into one big trip on the weekends like I did before.” — Maya Riser-Kositsky, Education Week
Thanks again to all who ventured out for this event. And until next year…happy walking!
