(SASKATOON) October 1, 2001 -- Today 6,123 people
gathered along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River to kickoff
the 2nd Annual Fall…in motion campaign and to celebrate the
first day of in motion month!
"Our focus with in motion, and the
focus of the Stay Active campaign, is to raise awareness on the
importance of regular physical activity," says Tom Archibald,
Vice President, Saskatoon District Health. "The overwhelming
response from the crowd here today shows that people are ready and
willing to take personal responsibility for their health, and physical
activity is one of the easiest ways they can do that."
The theme of the 4-week Fall…in motion campaign is "Stay Active". All residents of Saskatoon
and District are being challenged to Stay Active for a minimum of
15 minutes each day, and work their way up to a goal of 30 minutes
of physical activity every day. At noon today, over 3,500 students
and their teachers met this challenge as they joined community residents
in a group YMCA dance in Bessborough Park, followed by a 10-minute
walk along the riverbank.
"Although we fell short of breaking the Guinness World Record
for the YMCA dance, there is no doubt that the kickoff was a huge
success," says Tom Archibald, Vice President, Saskatoon District
Health. "If every kid that was here today goes home and talks
to their parents about in motion and the
fun that they had getting active, we will be reaching a lot of people.
And that's really what this is all about."
As part of the kickoff event, local media celebrities and Saskatoon
District Health representatives joined the Honourable James Maddin,
Mayor, City of Saskatoon, in officially proclaiming October as in
motion month. During the month of October, all Saskatoon
and District residents are being challenged to Stay Active and to
register their physical fitness activities. Media will be participating
throughout the entire month by giving away prizes for those who
are in motion. These prizes include fitness
memberships, restaurant gift certificates, movie coupons, fitness
and health books, and hotel accommodations.
In motion is a health promotion strategy
led by Saskatoon District Health in partnership with the City of
Saskatoon, University of Saskatchewan and ParticipACTION.
The current record for the largest group ever to
dance to the song 'YMCA' by the Village People, is 6,907 people.
This record was set on November 1, 1997, by students from Southwest
Missouri State University, who danced to the song YMCA for 5 minutes
while the Village People performed it live.
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For more information, contact:
Lorna Bratvold
Communication Counsellor
Saskatoon District Health
(306) 655-6744
Saskatoon Health Region
"Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service."
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