The Seventh Annual Greater Fall River Fitness Challenge kicked-off on January 11, 2014 at the Kuss Middle School with over 300 people attending and nearly 200 weighing-in for the 16-week series and offered participants information from representatives of more than twenty local organizations. Sponsored by Greater Fall River Re-creation, Partners for a Healthier Community, Saint Anne's Hospital, Southcoast Hospitals, the event was organized with the participation of All Generations Fitness, the Diabetes Association, Inc., Fitness Fusion, FitWorks, General Fitness. Greater Fall River Re-creation, Striking Beauties, TKO Fitness, Wiggle Kids, and the Fall River YMCA. The Challenge offers low cost opportunities for those who live, work or attend school in the Greater Fall River Area to get fit, lose weight, have fun and win prizes. "We have even more opportunities for people to get fit this year," stated Coordinator Annemarie Holly who worked with over twenty-five staff and volunteers to set up the event. "It's been a good mix of former participants along with a lot of new people," she added. Registration is open through the end of January, and many people will register and weigh-in at their workplace in the coming weeks. Click here for the video of the event. Click here for photos of last year's event. Call CD-REC at 508-679-0922 for more information or go to www.FallRiverFitnessChallenge.com.

(Top row, left) Greg Medeiros of Fitness Fusion talks with his staff prior to the event in the Kuss Middle School Community Room. (Top row, center) Challenge staff member Mike Brammer assists first-time Challenge participats Stephanie and Holly Halstead from Westport in filling out their registration forms. (Row two) Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard, left, HealthFirst Family Care Center staff member Linda Hennessey, center, and Chef Jessica Williams of Creating Healthy Solutions, right, talk to participants. (Row three) While staff from All Generations Fitness, left, and FitWorks, right, lead demonstrations, Fall River Mass in Motion Coordinator Julie Kelly talks with participants. (Row four) Howard Mabry leads a group exercise demonstration, Daniel Bowler talks with Paul Mercier about the annual Stair Climb, and John Belcher, right, kicks high. (Row five) Challenge organizer Annemarie Holly talks with  Hector Gauthier of WSAR Radio during a live broadcast while Greg Medeiros leads a group and Leanne Botts and Carol Wright demonstrate some boxing moves. (Row six) Leslie Rego, Nocole Uranek and Rebecca Pacheco of General Fitness demonstrate spinning, before Coach Kim Ferrara of Wiggle Kids passes out yarn pom-poms for people to toss at one another for fun! (Bottom row) Participant get their key tags from Shela Carreiro and Tita Tanguay, Maggie Smith of Saint Anne's Hospital weighs Sophia Comas, and Linda Pacheco of Southcoast Hospital's Health Van takes a blood pressure.