Congratulations participants of the 2016 Get Out Get Active (GOGA) Challenge!  You walked, ran, swam, biked, danced and MOVED!! The challenge is in place to provide a fun way for you to works towards a healthier you and you are well on your way!!  

This was the second year the Camrose Primary Care Network (PCN) joined the Edmonton area initiative, replacing the original Virtual Trek.  In total there were 3,143 people participating with 753,896,168 logged steps in 6 weeks! That's equivalent to walking around the globe 13.8 times!! Virtually travelling through Costa Rica, these participants increased their physical and mental well-being while receiving valuable health and fitness tips along the way.  80 percent of participants said the challenge made them more aware of their activity levels throughout the day and even though the challenge is over, 91 percent indicated they will continue being active. Participants had great feedback about the challenge, boasting of higher energy levels, sleeping better, as well added health benefits of lower blood pressure and reduced chronic pain. 

Each year of this activity challenge, Augustana Fitness Center continues to step up as a valued partner. From planning the very fun and well attended "Kick-off Trek" to offering special rates on memberships for GOGA participants and then providing a local grand prize of a one year membership (value of $550), the Camrose PCN is very fortunate to have their continued support.   2016 winner Hans Thygesen was very excited to have his name drawn for the local grand prize. "I learned about the GOGA challenge from my dietitian at the Camrose PCN.  The Augustana Fitness Centre membership prize is a wonderful gift that I will be sure to take full advantage of," stated Thygesen when he discovered he was the winner.

"The Augustana Fitness Centre wants to see people from all ages and all fitness levels getting active and living a healthy lifestyle," said Ryan MacDonald, Augustana Fitness Centre Coordinator. "That's why we're a dedicated supporter of the annual GOGA challenge. We hope that by providing an annual membership to the Fitness Centre, we will be assisting a lucky winner to continue and grow their active lifestyle."

Another local highlight for the 2016 challenge was when Michelle Bjorgum and her grade 1/2 class from Round Hill School won the prize for the highest overall participation level for a school group for the entire GOGA challenge.  They were excited to participate in various activities every day over the six weeks, and many got their families involved when they weren't at school.  They also talked about how they have a very busy Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Youth Run Club Run – with the school having 44 students involved.  

The Camrose PCN would also like to thank the Camrose Public Library for offering the "Tuesday Trekkers" weekly walk as part of the Get Out Get Active Challenge.  They enjoyed finding new routes to walk each week, having a lot of fun along the way.  As well a special thank you to the City of Camrose who provided Aquatic Centre passes and two prizes of walking track passes.  

 “We are happy to part of the Get Out Get Active Challenge again this year where we as PCN's can “model the way” for active lifestyles and provide people in our community with opportunities for increased physical activity,” states Stacey Strilchuk, Executive Director of the Camrose PCN.  “We know physical activity produces overall physical, psychological and social benefits but it’s important to remember physical activity should be fun too!”

The GOGA planning committee would also like to thank the 2016 GOGA Challenge Sponsors & Program Supporters who helped reach the mission of providing participants an opportunity to join a community wide activity challenge in an effort to promote healthy living as well as experience the benefits of becoming more active.

More information will be sent out for next year's challenge early 2017.  Watch for the challenge to get even bigger and better at www.camrosepcn.com.