Melissa’s Milers from City of Toledo won first place in Health Action Council’s 2026 Fall Step It Up Challenge. The team, consisting of Troy Meador, Don Czerniak, Vicki Coleman, and Melissa Masztak averaged 581,448 total steps. As the Grand Prize winners, Melissa’s Milers received: a healthy lunch up to $350 and a $300 donation to either a local school garden project or Ronald McDonald House Charity.

Overall, the challenge engaged 535 participants across 49 teams, with a total step count of 100,653,136 and individual step average of 6,719. By meeting their collective step goal, participants unlocked a $500 donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The theme of the Fall Step It Up Challenge was Fuel Better. Move More. Thrive Together. The challenge encouraged participants to make wellness part of their everyday routines by pairing nutritious choices with regular physical activity. Each week featured nutrition and movement mini challenges, team encouragement, and friendly competition that kept participants active and connected.

“Every season, we’re blown away by our participants’ and their record-breaking performances, and this fall is no exception,” said Patty Starr, President & CEO of Health Action Council. “We might have only given out one first place prize, but everyone’s a winner when you’re creating healthy habits and building team chemistry.”

All About that Pace from Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library finished second place, with a team made up of Gopal B, Wendy Payne, Courtney Lewis, and Cassie Stout. The team averaged 568,393 total steps and won a healthy lunch up to $150 and a $200 donation to either a local school garden project or Ronald McDonald House Charity.

Third place winners were Spring in Our Steps from Suter & Associates, which included team members Joe Suter, Joyce Suter, and Joanna Rimmer. Spring in Our Steps averaged 447,976 total steps and won Step It Up wellness gear.

Individual prizes were awarded through a random drawing. Three participants from the Top 15 leaderboard were randomly selected to win an Apple Watch Series 11, a $200 fitness class or gym membership reimbursement, and a $100 Blue Apron meal delivery gift card.

The Individual Prize winners were:

• Tiffany Apple from LINQ with 1,120,000 steps, winning an Apple Watch Series 11
• Daryll Mauder from Ashland University with 612,189 steps, winning a $200 Fitness Class or Gym Membership Reimbursement
• Emily James from Cincinnati Metro with 552,125 steps, winning a $100 Blue Apron Gift Card

The Mini Challenge winners were:

October 13: Elizabeth Collins from Lakeland Community College won a Teak Wooden Utensil and Cooking Apron Set for introducing herself in our first mini challenge.

October 15: Achelle Foster from Austin Telco Federal Credit Union won a Pro Vegetable Chopper & Mandoline Slicer, 10-in-1 for participating in our colorful fruits and vegetables circuit challenge.

October 19: Casey Luckado from Kirby Risk won a Bake It Healthy Cookbook and Stainless Steel Measuring Cups & Spoons Set for participating in our healthy baking mini challenge.

October 21: Josh Sumter from Ashland University won an Eddie Bauer 20L Stowaway Packable Backpack for achieving 10K steps and posting a nutritious snack in the challenge chat.

October 23: Mike Skultety from Cuyahoga DD won an Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle for staying hydrated and sharing an exercise warm-up tip.

October 28: Jess Kimmel from HSO Power Steppers won an Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set for participating in our nutrition label decoding mini challenge.

November 2: Paige Holley from Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Inc. won a Hot Apple Cider Gift Set for sharing a fall activity to stay moving in our weekend mini challenge.
November 4: Maggie Reed from Hitachi Solutions won a Premium Yoga Mat for participating in our heart-healthy food and activity challenge.

November 9: Ceci Caraccioli from Hitachi Solutions won a Ninja Blast Portable Blender for sharing a favorite part of the challenge and registering for Spring 2027.

Build a Healthier Workforce This Spring. Gear up for our 2027 Spring Step It Up Challenge (March 29 – April 25). Register today!

For additional questions, please contact Noelle Bis at [email protected].