Over 1,800 miles were walked in March between the 12 participants of the Mayor's Health and Fitness Challenge

Ormond Beach Observer
News

After 12 weeks of eating better, counting steps and increasing their days at the gym, the winners of the 2017 Mayor's Health and Fitness Challenge have been announced. Kicked off in January, the program offers beginning and ending biometrics courtesy of Florida Health Care Plans, free access to gyms, special menu items at participating local restaurants, cooking/meal preparation sessions and exclusive membership rates to participating fitness centers and health coaching.

Patty Fennell, 1st place in the women's physical fitness challenge

Even though she's won the challenge for the past three years, an injury Patty Fennell sustained from doing her favorite exercise made her think this could be the first year she didn't place. But the 53-year-old Ormond Beach resident proved herself wrong.

Despite pulling a muscle in her hip from running, Fennell still scored a 416 in the physical fitness challenge, having done 67 pushups, 66 squats, 99 hip bridges, 45 step-ups, 46 plank up/downs and 45 leg lifts.

"You gotta try to stay active," she said. "I'm very blessed. This is such a fun program."

Chris Byle, 1st place in the men's physical fitness challenge

Chris Byle works out a few days a week not for the six-pack, but for the 6 year old. His daughter, Gabriella Byle, is very active, and he does his best to make sure he can keep up with her.

"I go to Gold's and try to run after work," he said. "It's important to keep in shape so I can take care of her and my wife. You should always be striving to be a better you."

Tom Gniech, 1st place in the men's weight loss challenge

When Tom Gniech was checking out the progress of his competition in the steps challenge, he wondered for a good while who "Bill P." was. It was only recently that he discovered he was competing with Mayor Bill Partington.

"Everyone had a Fitbit so you could see how far they walked," he said. "I walked 609,368 steps."

Mayor Partington only walked 175,826.

The competitive, but fun environment of the challenge helped Gniech lose 10.3% of weight, which his doctor told him he needed to lose.

"I went back to the doctor, and all my numbers were good," he said. "This has really got me started."

Tammy Boyd, 1st place in the women's weight loss challenge

The Ormond Beach resident lost a total of 11.2% of weight during the challenge. She, along with the other four winners, were given certifcates by Mayor Partington at the city commission meeting May 2.

Full list of winners

The women's physical fitness challenge: