YMCA members log more than 10,000 miles

Pledge cards for the Governor's challenge line the wall of the Osage Prairie YMCA. Photo by Gloria Tucker/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

Members of the Osage Prairie YMCA have surpassed the 10,000- mile mark, with more than 10,500 miles logged for the Governor's challenge since October.

"We started back in July," Pookie DeCocq, an employee of the Y, said. "We asked members to fill out pledge cards and we put them on the wall."

Members of the community with the most miles logged at the Y include Willa Wolf, 90, Claudia Lampkin, 126, Randy Harris, 203, and Kevin Williams, 247, as the wall at the Osage Prairie YMCA shows.

So far, 87 people filled out the cards with their names and goals.

"We also set up a log book so people can write down their miles," DeCocq said. "The miles don't have be just done at the Y. We go onto the challenge's website and enter those miles."

She said they wanted to help people who don't have the time or patience for the challenge website.

With 1,500 miles logged in the first month, the pace has picked up with members averaging 3,500 total miles a month.

"It's really taken off," she said. "We were just hoping for 100 miles a month. This gives members something to strive toward. We have a chart so people can see where they rank compared to other members."

DeCocq ranked the at the top of the staff with the most miles logged until October when Kim Niestrath passed her.

"It's been a friendly competition for the members and the staff," she said. "We all want to see our name at the top."

DeCocq advises people who want to participate in the challenge to just take one day and one mile at a time.

"You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish," she said. "We hope to continue this after the challenge ends. This has been a real benefit to the Vernon County area."