Tom crosses the finish line in legislators’ pedometer challenge

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, helped win $1,000 for the Bellevue School District in the third annual “Legislators on the Move” competition sponsored by Regence BlueShield. The grant will help fund health and fitness programs at a Bellevue school.

The competition pits legislators against one another to see who can take the most steps in six weeks. Wearing pedometers at work, the aim is to draw attention to the health benefits of walking and rack up hundreds of thousands of steps. Tom took 398,089 steps, totaling 199 miles, between Feb. 12 and March 23.

“Staying active is incredibly important,” said Tom. “We have to encourage people to get outside, and get moving, if we’re going to curb obesity and diabetes. I thought participating in this competition might raise awareness about how much exercise one can get by walking each day.”

Tom and other legislators walked a total of 4,401,152 steps, or 2,200 miles, and won a combined $10,500 to donate to school districts throughout Washington. Regence BlueShield will announce the grant winner in the Bellevue School District before the school year ends.

Return to Sen. Tom's home page