Asurion, the global leader in technology protection services, joined by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, today announced the winner of Asurion’s inaugural Global WalkFit Challenge. The contest saw 1,900 Asurion employees from four countries create almost 300 teams, each competing to see which could log the most steps during an eight week period.
In a ceremony at Asurion’s corporate headquarters, Mayor Dean along with Asurion Senior Vice Presidents’ Tony Detter, Vijay Velamoor and Mark Gunning recognized Asurion employee, Jose Rodriguez, as the WalkFit Challenge Champion. Walking a total of 3,312,216 steps, or 1,656 miles (nearly 8 Nashville to Memphis round-trips), Jose logged almost one million more steps than the second place finisher. As the winning global individual participant, Jose received a $500 gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“The Global WalkFit Challenge is one illustration of our commitment to employee wellness,” said Vijay Velamoor, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Asurion. “As most workplaces are sedentary, we’re always looking for ways to help employees add healthy activity to their day. Driving for results is a value ingrained in Asurion employees, so we were confident a contest would be motivational, and we were right.”
“I applaud Asurion for the example they’ve set and for their commitment to employee wellbeing,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, whose healthy living initiatives last year included Walk 100 Miles with the Mayor and the Mayor’s Challenge 5K Walk/Run. “Walking is a healthy and sustainable activity proven to provide many benefits, including reducing the risks of heart disease and diabetes. There are many places across the city where we can all get out and walk, and I encourage everyone to explore Nashville’s many great parks and greenways.”
Asurion staff from the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and the Philippines participated in the WalkFit Challenge. Asurion provided each person with a wireless tracker that automatically updated the competition database with an individual’s steps taken, distance traveled, hills and stairs climbed and calories burned.
Employees were, and continue to be, encouraged to wear their activity trackers so that they can accurately measure the number of steps taken each day. Many employees who were initially shocked to learn how few steps they took daily now make walking a part of their daily routine, are losing weight and are healthier overall.
All winners of the Asurion WalkFit Challenge received a commemorative trophy. Plus, the winning team at each Asurion office received a $150 gift certificate to Fleet Feet Sports. The winning global team members each received a Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS Sports Watch with Heart Rate Monitor.