Encouraging employees to get up from
their desk to be active by challenging
participants to train for and complete a 5K
event in eight weeks

 Encouraged employees to get up from their desks and
make time to be active with a goal in mind
 Designed to offer 5K training for walkers and runners
during their work day
 Built in top level support to improve the overall success
of the Desk to 5K program
“The practice sessions got me up from
my desk and moving again. I only
walked the 5K (not quite ready for
running), but walking 2 – 5 miles is a
part of my everyday life now. Thank
you for your role in organizing it. I’m
looking forward to next year’s event!”

 Hosted at three different weekly training locations on the
company grounds to allow good access to staff-led training
groups for all employees
 Scheduled training sessions before work, at lunch, or after
work to meet the needs of employees with hectic schedules
 The staff goal of 200 registered participants was reach 100%
“The training program alleviated any
excuses as it walked me through a
weekly training schedule to make sure I
was ready for the actual 5K event. The
weekly group training run / walks were
helpful to keep me motivated to
progress.”

 Supported diverse training programs to help all
participants reach their goal whether it was to improve race
time or build endurance to complete their first 5K event
 Twenty-five percent of all training
participants attended at least
half of the group training runs
with 14% attending six of
the eight training runs

 Established program cost
 Training program: $20; participants
received:
o Weekly group trainings and
detailed training schedule
o Desk to 5K training shirt
o Prize drawings throughout the
program
 5K event: $15 to help offset the cost
of the event
 Other program supplies and
training schedules were
determined following
registration via survey

Weekly Trainings:
 Stop watches
 Reflective gear for
leaders
 Snacks – apples, trail
mix, water
 First aid kit, cell phone
 Cones for marking the
route if necessary
 Volunteer group leaders
5K Event items:
 Race bibs for participants
 Water stations
 Route markers
 Staff – evaluate your needs
o Registration check in
o Start/Finish Line
o Route leaders
o Family event organizers

 Support from the CEO to live a healthier lifestyle really
encouraged employees to participate and feel
supported in making time for exercise in their work
day
 Made it a family event, spouses and partners were
welcome to participate in the 5K (Our staff also
provided activities for kids
of all ages during the 5K)
 Used the event to
promote onsite fitness center
and program offerings

I just wanted to let you know
how much FUN my daughters and
I had at the 5K on Saturday. It
was just a wonderful experience
and one that we hope to do again
next year. Thank you for all of
your support!!
That was a fantastic event! Saturday
morning I woke up feeling very blessed by the
resources our company has dedicated to
physical well-being and by the knowledge
that you, the NIFS team, had organized things
so well and would be there to create a great
experience for all the participants. I went
home feeling even more thankful. You did an
incredible job! Thank you very much!

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