Community

Challenge Day 2010

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On May 19th, Houston is urging its residents to participate in Challenge Day 2010, an international competition to see which city has the most active residents.


Each city is paired with another city to enhance the competition. Last year, Houston finished with a higher percentage of residents exercising than Monterrey, Mexico. This year, Houston is up against Rome, Italy.


Doug Earle, Deputy Director of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, is leading the cause for the city of Houston.


“Obviously we would like people to exercise every day,” Earle said. “But we hope that people will at least come out and support the cause on May 19.”


Challenge Day began in 2005 out of Brazil. On the third Wednesday of May each year since, more and more international cities have accepted the call and urged their residents to exercise.


“In 2005, we had 340,000 participants,” Earle said. “Last year we had more than 852,000, and this year our goal is a million.”


To participate in the event, one must exercise for a minimum of 15 minutes and report your results to challengeday2010@cityofhouston.net. To be counted, results must be reported by Thursday, May 20.


Click here for more information.