Arlington Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck

September 15, 2004
Free Event Promotes Healthy, More Active Living

The Mayor’s Fitness Challenge is Saturday, Oct. 2 at Elzie Odom Recreation Center.

From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., more than 20 vendors will showcase the latest in health and fitness services. Arlington area hospitals and non-profit organizations will offer free health assessments, nutrition and disease prevention information. Some of the vendors will include Arlington Memorial Hospital, Medical Center of Arlington, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, United Healthcare, Tarrant County Health Department, Velociti Fitness League and City of Arlington Parks and Recreation Department. The free event will also include activities for children and jump rope demonstrations by Arlington students. Elzie Odom Recreation Center is located at 1601 N.E. Green Oaks Blvd.

Organizers are planning to issue free "Step With It!" pedometers to the first 100 people entering the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge Event. Pedometers, an instrument used to measure an individual’s steps, are being provided by Coca-Cola.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 4 through Friday, Oct. 8, Arlington residents are invited to beat Mayor Robert Cluck’s 68,653 steps taken during a fitness challenge with Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief earlier this summer. The winners will be recognized by the Arlington City Council and profiled in City of Arlington publications.

Mayor Cluck, who is also a physician, vowed in January to make 2004 a year of fitness and better health for Arlington residents. His office organized a Fitness Task Force and began the effort to help move Arlington from one of the fattest to one of the fittest cities in the country.

"Physical fitness is the most important factor in a long and healthy life," Cluck said. "Join me in taking at least 10,000 steps a day for better health. Let’s get Arlington back on track as one of the healthiest cities in America."

List of those who exceeded the Mayor’s Challenge to walk more than 68,653 steps in five days:

• Richard Weber – 90,509 (winner of a free annual facility card and one free month fitness membership at City of Arlington Parks & Recreation Centers)
• Dennis Zunker – 77,000 (winner of a free annual facility card and one free month fitness membership at City of Arlington Parks & Recreation Centers)
• Sonya Gotch (Sonya is 11 years old) – 76,356
• Lynda Freeman – 73,853
• Doreen Bruner – 72,408
• Betty Williams – 71,515
• Honorable mention – Colleen Weber (age 11) 55,537

Walkers will be honored at an upcoming City Council meeting.

Robert Cluck, MD
Mayor
City of Arlington