Boise, Idaho – A record 105 Idaho mayors are participating in the Mayor’s Walking Challenge, a program of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health that promotes the importance of physical activity. The challenge takes place during October and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Participation in the annual event has increased each year, starting with 14 mayors in 2014 when the challenge was only available in the Treasure Valley. The program expanded regionally and became a statewide event in 2018. Mayors have earned more than $519,000 for their communities in the previous nine challenges.
Idaho mayors can earn up to $1,000 for their efforts and have two options to earn funds:
- Walk an average of 5,000 steps a day during October to earn $500 for their community
- Walk an average of 10,000 steps a day during October to earn $1,000 for their community
Those funds support a variety of projects and programs that promote a healthy lifestyle, including playgrounds, physical education equipment for schools, park amenities, scholarships for youth programs, and more.
“The Mayor’s Walking Challenge continues to grow, and we appreciate the more than 100 Idaho mayors who are walking this year,” said Kendra Witt-Doyle, Executive Director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. “Walking is one of the best things people can do for their health. Mayors can be role models, and walking sets a good example about the importance of exercise and physical activity.”
2023 MAYOR’S WALKING CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS
EASTERN IDAHO
| CITY/MAYOR | CITY/MAYOR |
| American Falls: Rebekah Sorensen | McCammon: Karlene Hall |
| Ammon: Sean Coletti | Montpelier: Ted Slivinski |
| Arimo: Lonnie Gunter | Mud Lake: Sherry Locascio |
| Bancroft: LuCus Spencer | Newdale: Kevin Van Wagner |
| Blackfoot: Marc Carroll | Pocatello: Brian Blad |
| Chubbuck: Kevin England | Preston: Dan Keller |
| Dayton: Troy Moser | Rexburg: Jerry Merrill |
| Downey: Rex Nielsen | Rigby: Richard Datwyler |
| Driggs: August Christensen | Roberts: B.J. Berlin |
| Firth: Brandon Jolley | Shelley: Stacy Pascoe |
| Franklin: John Packer | St. Anthony: Donald Powell |
| Grace: Jackie Barthlome | St. Charles: Alan Michaelson |
| Idaho Falls: Rebecca Casper | Tetonia: Brent Schindler |
| Iona: Evan Mann | Victor: Will Frohlich |
| Lewisville: Curtis Thomas | Weston: Greg Garner |
| Malad City: Joan Hawkins |
MAGIC VALLEY & CENTRAL IDAHO
| CITY/MAYOR | CITY/MAYOR |
| Albion: Isaac Loveland | Jerome: David Davis |
| Bellevue: Chris Johnson | Ketchum: Neil Bradshaw |
| Buhl: Pamela McClain | Leodore: Dale Peterson |
| Burley: Steve Ormond | Murtaugh: Dee Hunsaker |
| Carey: Sara Mecham | Paul: Brent Stimpson |
| Fairfield: Terry Lee | Richfield: Tom Naylor |
| Hazelton: Art Watkins | Stanley: Steve Botti |
| Heyburn: Dick Galbraith | Twin Falls: Chris Reid |
| Hollister: Robyn Grover | Wendell: Rebecca Vipperman |
NORTHERN IDAHO
| CITY/MAYOR | CITY/MAYOR |
| Bonners Ferry: Dick Staples | Moscow: Arthur Bettge |
| Bovill: Diane Holt | Moyie Springs: Geoff Hollenbeck |
| Clark Fork: Russell Schenck | Nezperce: Steve Bateman |
| Cottonwood: Keith Holcomb | Oldtown: Lonnie Orr |
| Culdesac: William Vorrasi | Onaway: Sharon Shaffer |
| Dalton Gardens: Dan Edwards | Orofino: Sean Simmons |
| Deary: Jason Johnson | Osburn: Kip McGillivray |
| Dover: George Eskridge | Peck: Nancy Greene |
| East Hope: Vern Fleisher | Pierce: Greg Gerot |
| Ferdinand: Ralph Wassmuth | Ponderay: Steve Geiger |
| Genesee: Nyla Roach | Post Falls: Ron Jacobson |
| Hayden Lake: Jim Ackerman | Potlatch: David Brown |
| Juliaetta: Richard Groseclose | Smelterville: Jessica Frank |
| Kamiah: Betty Heater | Spirit Lake: Jeremy Cowperthwaite |
| Kendrick: Rose Norris | Stites: Gerald Cathey |
| Lapwai: Antonio Smith | Tensed: Richard Keaveny |
| Lewiston: Dan Johnson | Winchester: Miriam Youngren |
SOUTHWEST IDAHO
| CITY/MAYOR | CITY/MAYOR |
| Boise: Lauren McLean | McCall: Robert Giles |
| Caldwell: Jarom Wagoner | Meridian: Robert Simison |
| Cambridge: Mark Loveland | Mountain Home: Rich Sykes |
| Cascade: Judith Nissula | Nampa: Debbie Kling |
| Crouch: Trevor Schiefelbein | New Meadows: Julie Good |
| Emmett: Gordon Petrie | Parma: Angie Lee |
| Fruitland: Kari Peterson | Payette: Craig Jensen |
| Garden City: John Evans | Placerville: Brian Davies |
| Glenns Ferry: William Galloska | Star: Trevor Chadwick |
| Homedale: Gheen Christoffersen | Weiser: Randy Hibberd |
| Idaho City: Kenny Everhart |
