FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2009
Contact: Joey King
russell.king@hhs.gov
202-690-5181
President’s Council Announces Top 5 Winners of
2009 National President’s Challenge
Alaska takes top spot for 2nd year
WASHINGTON, DC—The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports today recognized Alaska, Washington, D.C., Guam, Maryland and Wyoming as winners of the 2009 National President’s Challenge. Alaska, which had the highest participation rate in the nation based on state population, once again placed first in this year’s challenge to successfully defend its claim to the title of “most active state” for 2009. Alaska previously won that title in the inaugural National President’s Challenge in 2008. To find out where your state ranked, you can visit the President’s Challenge Web site at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/national_challenge/results.aspx.
The National President’s Challenge, which kicked off May 1, and concluded July 24, is an annual six-week program launched by the President’s Council to encourage Americans to be more active. Participants were able to register as an individual or with a team and set goals, log their activity and track their progress. To complete the challenge, participants 18 and older needed to be active 30 minutes a day, while youth aged 6-17 needed to be active an hour a day.
“The President’s Council is pleased to congratulate each of the top five winners of this year’s National President’s Challenge,” said RADM Penelope Slade-Sawyer, acting executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. “We are thrilled that governors and mayors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several territories encouraged their residents to take the challenge and commit to improving the overall health of our entire nation. The PCPFS will be giving special recognition to the governors of Guam and the three winning states, as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C., for their dedication to promoting physical activity, fitness and healthy lifestyles for their constituents.”
Physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Now that so many Americans have taken the first step in becoming active, the President’s Council is encouraging them to continue their progress by registering for the on-going President’s Challenge program. This online physical activity program is available year-round at www.presidentschallenge.org.
About The Council
The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) is an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness and sports in America. The Office of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the HHS office containing the PCPFS Executive Director and support staff. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the Office of the PCPFS serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical activity, fitness and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through participation in physical activity and sports. For more information about PCPFS please visit www.fitness.gov.
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