Stepathlon Becomes India’s Biggest Mass Participation Event Expected to Cross 60,000 Participation Mark this Year

Stepathlon, The virtual race that is creating a global health revolution among corporate professionals, becomes India’s largest mass participation event. The 100 day race will commence on September, 3 and will end on December 11, 2014. Strengthening it’s commitment to help professionals achieve and sustain fitness, Stepathlon has introduced a new 12 month program that will commence in August 2014.

Stepathlon is a pedometer-based mass participation wellness initiative that has created waves in the corporate sector and garnered a phenomenal increase in participation from companies across the World. The previous edition of the 100 day race witnessed participation from 31,000 Stepathletes. This year, early indicators expect the number to exceed 60,000, making it India’s biggest mass participation event.

“Companies are eager to adopt this fun filled, competition based fitness programs that shifts employee and company focus from illness to wellness”, said Ravi Krishnan, CEO, Stepathlon. “Based on the momentum Stepathlon has generated so far, it is evident that the past two editions of the 100 day race helped employees across the globe get on the path to a happier, more productive lifestyle which leads to more profitable organisations. A survey done pre and post the previous edition indicated that Stepathletes reported a 33% increase in productivity at work, a 34% increase in workplace engagement and a reduction of 28% in absenteeism.” (Source: *IMRB One – Stepathlon 2013 Pre and Post Event Survey)

This year, some of the Indian companies that have already registered for the 100-day virtual race around the world include HDFC Bank, Mahindra Group, Aditya Birla Group, Wockhardt, TATA Steel, Marriott Hotels, Deutsche Bank, Godrej Group and HSBC. These companies will compete with other global companies like ANZ, Toyota, Bloomberg, Sony and more for the coveted title of ‘Most Active Company’.

Ravneet Gill, CEO - India, Deutsche Bank shares his experience with Stepathlon, “The simplicity, relevance and accessibility of Stepathlon makes it universally applicable and acceptable. It’s model helps in creating a sustainable lifestyle change for the everyday athlete in each one of us. After our successful experience with Stepathlon last year, we are looking at intensifying our relationship this year.”

Stepathlon enables Stepathletes or ‘everyday athletes’ to track their step-count in an accurate manner by using a pedometer that adopts the latest 3D motion technology. Each team consists of 5 Stepathletes, with each team member targeting a minimum of 10,000 steps each day. The team’s total steps are converted into kilometers and plotted on Stepathlon’s virtual race course across the globe.

Both the online and mobile platforms of Stepathlon use an interface that is engaging, interactive and intuitive for the growing community of Stepathletes. It allows participants to access relevant information regarding nutrition, health and well-being through expert resources, interesting apps and much more.

Companies across the World can sign up for Stepathlon. Each company is supplied with a dedicated link through which teams can register. Additionally, Stepathlon provide a host of material and resources to participating companies to garner registration and provide support through the 12 month program.

About Stepathlon:

Stepathlon is a unique, pedometer-based, mass participation corporate initiative that motivates individuals to take 10,000 steps a day, as recommended by global health authorities. It is a race around a 'virtual world' for companies of all sizes, across all industries and countries. It is an international event, originating in India. In 2013, it witnessed participation from 31,000 Participants (Stepathletes) from 210 Companies across 434 locations and 34 countries. Stepathlon encourages activity and fitness and fosters health and well-being in a fun, inclusive and relevant manner. Stepathlon aims to break the cycle of sedentary behavior, turning the sedentary to active and the active to more active, thereby increasing overall productivity.

Visit us: www.stepathlon.com

Twitter handle: @Stepathlon