Step into Fall from Westfield Insurance won first place in Health Action Council’s 2026 Summer Step It Up Challenge. The team, consisting of Monisha H, Jennifer Hamula, Megan Germano, and Denise Rodak averaged 487,045 total steps. As the Grand Prize winners, Step into Fall received: a healthy lunch up to $350 and a $300 donation to either a local school garden project or Ronald McDonald House Charity.
Sponsored by CBIZ, the challenge engaged 551 participants across 50 teams overall, with a total step count of 103,559,568 and individual step average of 6,712. The theme was centered around the FIFA World Cup, encouraging participants to build healthy habits inspired by some of the greatest athletes from around the world. Each week featured a new star player, wellness focus, and fun mini challenges that kept participants active.
Additionally, before the challenge kicked off, participants had the opportunity to predict which country they believed would win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Once the tournament concludes, all participants who correctly selected the championship team will be entered into a random drawing for an Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Edition 3-Inch 3D Trophy—a commemorative keepsake celebrating the world's biggest soccer tournament.
“What makes Step It Up so special is that everyone’s a winner,” said Patty Starr, President & CEO of Health Action Council. “Our top finishing teams brought home some special prizes, but every team that competed won the grand prize: healthy habits that will hopefully last lifetimes.”
Melissa’s Milers from City of Toledo finished second place, with a team made up of Don Czerniak, Vicki Coleman, Laurie Mahler, Melissa Masztak, and Daniel Gerken. The team averaged 476,199 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 All About that Pace from Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library, which included team members Drishti Bhure, Cassie Stout, Wendy Payne, and Courtney Lewis. All About that Pace averaged 467,930 total steps and won Step It Up wellness gear.
For the first time in Step It Up Challenge history, four participants tied for first place in the individual category by achieving the highest possible step count of 840,000 total steps. To ensure fair distribution of prizes, a random drawing was held among the four tied participants to determine the order of prize selection. While 3 prizes were initially planned, a fourth prize was added to accommodate the extra player who finished in first place.
The Individual Prize winners were:
- La Mont Graham from Cuyahoga Community College, winning an Apple Watch Series 11 (First Prize).
- Drishti Bhure from Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library, winning a $200 Fitness Class or Gym Membership Reimbursement (Second Prize).
- Noah S from HSO, winning a $100 Blue Apron Gift Card (Third Prize).
- Surendra Hiware from UK/Taiwan Ops, OCLC, winning an Official FIFA Cooler.
“We’re incredibly proud that so many participants went above and beyond this year to max out the daily step total,” said Starr. “Congratulations to all four participants who tied for first place for their outstanding achievement and commitment to staying active throughout the challenge.”
The Mini Challenge winners were:
June 17: Doug Price from OCLC won an Adjustable Ankle Weights Set for getting over 8,000 steps in the consistency and movement challenge inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo.
June 19: Carrie Smedira from Hitachi Solutions won a portable neck fan for getting an early start on steps in the start strong challenge inspired by Erling Haaland.
June 23: Cassandra Ganon from Energizer won a 5-in-1 Foam Roller Set for helping a colleague achieve their wellness goal in the stronger together challenge inspired by Lionel Messi.
June 25: Diane Stephenson from ConcertoCare won Premium Hiking Poles for beating her step count by an extra 1,000 steps in the raise the bar challenge inspired by Kylian Mbappé.
June 29: Sarina Winterrowd from Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Inc. won a Premium Cutting Board and Health Cookbook for eating a healthy meal in the build strong habits challenge inspired by Jude Bellingham.
July 1: Alyssa Terzik from The Baldwin Group won an Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Stainless Steel Tumbler for starting a healthy habit in the power of consistency challenge inspired by N'Golo Kanté.
July 6: Georgia Luck from Energizer won an Official FIFA World Cup Trophy Picnic Blanket and Insulated Backpack Cooler for staying active during the 4th of July celebrations in the represent something bigger challenge inspired by Christian Pulisic.
July 8: Maggie Skultety from Cuyahoga DD won a Pickleball Paddle Set for trying a new activity in our play with confidence challenge inspired by Lamine Yamal.
July 10: Tracey Hudson from Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Inc. won a Home Blood Pressure Monitor and Resistance Band Set in the keep your heart in the game challenge inspired by Rodri.
Build a Healthier Workforce This Fall. Gear up for our 2026 Fall Step It Up Challenge running from October 12 to November 8, 2026. Register today!
For additional questions, please contact Noelle Bis at [email protected].
About Health Action Council
Health Action Council is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization representing mid and large-size employers that enhances human and economic health through thought leadership, innovative services, and collaboration. It provides value to its members by facilitating projects that improve the quality and moderate the cost of healthcare purchased by its members for their employees, dependents, and retirees.
Health Action Council also collaborates with key stakeholders - health plans, physicians, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry - to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare in the community.