Step into Fitness and Fun with the Get Moving Challenge 2025

Registration is open for the 10-week staff and faculty competition that begins Jan. 13

A graphic shows a tennis shoe next to the words Get Moving Challenge
The 2025 Get Moving Challenge begins Jan. 13. Graphic by Paul Figuerado

Hana Jarrad has a problem. Her son, Faris, is 17 years old and sometimes drives himself to soccer practices and games now.

For years, Jarrad, a Supply Chain Associate in Pediatrics, made the most of those daily trips by walking or running around the adjacent track while Faris played soccer. She added 4 miles of running/walking each day, which helped her rack up 2.7 million steps over 10 weeks during last year’s Get Moving Challenge.

That was enough for second place in the individual category of the annual staff and faculty fitness competition.

Now, as she plans to sign up for the 2025 challenge, she has a new hurdle: “I have to motivate myself to go out and walk,” Jarrad said in mock agony.

Registration is open for the 2025 edition of the Get Moving Challenge organized by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program. The challenge begins Jan. 13 and ends on March 17.

A woman stands next to a field of grass
Hana Jarrad has to find new ways to get her steps in for the Get Moving Challenge now that her son drives himself to soccer practices and games where she once walked the nearby track. Photo courtesy of Hana Jarrad

As part of the challenge, individuals and teams log weekly progress in various challenge categories, including minutes of activity and steps taken. Teams are divided into three leagues – Platinum, Gold and Silver – based on the average number of steps and minutes of activity reported by each team member at registration. Teams can range from five to 11 members, with team leaders designated to register teams that often use creative names.

Participants can also track weight management, but it is not a competitive category.

A new twist for 2025 is that teams will be able to establish rivals by challenging other teams for head-to-head competition, with bragging rights on the line.

“More than anything, we’re hoping GMC Rivals is a way to motivate each other and keep a competitive spirit throughout the challenge,” said Sara Cathey, Health Education Specialist for LIVE FOR LIFE.

To help encourage long-term healthy habits, participants receive a daily email with health promotion tips and can participate in challenges that include an Exercise Bingo Raffle to encourage new exercises and routines, and a Striding Toward Success Raffle, where those who enter data weekly can randomly be selected for a prize. Prizes include a pickleball set, a yoga kit and wireless earbuds.

At the end of the 10 weeks, the top finishers in each league – both individual and teams – will receive a LIVE FOR LIFE prize bundle, which includes a shirt, tumbler and other accessories.

“The Get Moving Challenge is a great way to build community among your co-workers while also trying to reach your health goals with that community and with support from LIVE FOR LIFE,” Cathey said. “And it’s also just really fun.”

Jarrad agrees, and that’s one reason she plans to register for the 2025 Get Moving Challenge. The other? She’d like to win this year, even if it means overcoming the added challenge of motivating herself to walk.

“I’m a very active and competitive person,” she said. “Anything that has a challenge, I like to participate in.”

Share your wellness story

Working@Duke invites staff and faculty to share their goals and stories related to physical, social and mental health wellness. How have you taken steps to improve your health and well-being, and how has LIVE FOR LIFE supported you? Participants will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to win 500 LIVE FOR LIFE Dollars to select merchandise from the LIVE FOR LIFE store.

Send story ideas, shout-outs and photographs through our story idea form or write working@duke.edu.

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