Go Gold! FINAL results of the 2024 Physical Activity Challenge
After six weeks filled with inspiring stories and accomplishments, we have our final results. Thank you to everyone who participated and to those who generously shared their journeys with the Smithsonian community.
Top Teams
- Golden Girls (& A Guy): 216
- STRI sweat storm: 213
- Tag It Out Get Paid: 210.25
- OIG Frosh/Soph: 202.8
- The Smithereens: 201.6
- the tEEm: 200.4
- Sarahto:ken/Sore Heels: 196
- Toucan Trekkers: 174.2
- Allez-y!: 173.6
- Legs Misérables: 158
- The Sole Champions: 152
- Space Pandas: 151.8
- Dungeon Dwellers: 150.8
- Mid-Century Marchers: 147
- SmithsoniZone: 142.6
Top Individuals
1. Ed Dequina (SE): 2,508,630
2. Raul De Leon (STRI): 1,893,998
3. Jim DiLoreto (NMNH): 1,544,848
4. Anabell J. Cornejo (STRI): 1,458,466
5. James “Jay” G. Harrison III (NMAI): 1,416,558
6. Taylor Jacovich (SAO): 1,381,774
7. Anna Rimel (AAA): 1,149,021
8. Kathy Sklar (NMAH): 1,096,112
9. James Babcock (SE): 1,086,449
10. William Hoyt (OIG): 1,058,159
11. Jaime Velasco (STRI): 1,051,975
12. Kathy Papienski (OA): 1,008,384
13. Todd Harris: 970,319
14. Siobhan Starrs (NMNH): 893,888
15. Marty Arthur (OSHEM): 866,038
Spotlight on Amanda Ostwald
National Museum of Natural History
I’ve always been somewhat active, but often felt like I didn’t belong in sports. I figure-skated and played soccer as a kid. As an adult, I run, hike, and lift weights. It wasn’t until adulthood that I came to realize that athleticism looks different for every person. As long as I’m challenging myself, and as long as I’m tired at the end of the day, I can consider myself an athlete—that evolution of thought changed the game for me and gave me permission to explore sports more freely.
I’m one year out from completing my PhD, which was an enormous accomplishment that I take pride in, but which also was an event that caused me physical and mental stress. Writing and defending my dissertation was a process made easier by consistent and challenging exercise, but despite my best efforts, I still feel like my body is in recovery.
I’m glad that I’m in DC at this stage in my life, so that I can take advantage of the walkable infrastructure when I need it most. It’s such a joy to walk to a restaurant for lunch, or to picnic on the mall with friends! There are so many opportunities here to take pleasure in challenging movement, whatever your capabilities. My husband and my dog also keep me motivated! They always encourage and enable me to explore. In fact, my husky will throw howling fits if we don’t get at least two miles of daily walking in.
The Go Gold Challenge definitely motivated me to take fewer days off, but there’s no reason to lose momentum with it coming to an end. If anyone in the SI community catches me out for a walk sometime, please join me!
Spotlight on Morgan Kuster
Smithsonian Associates
I absolutely love exercise and movement but ran into a roadblock (it ran into me…) five years ago. I biked and ran regularly until I got hit by a car while biking to the mall for work. It could’ve been so much worse, but it was enough to keep me from my regular activity.
After several years of on and off trying to get back into running and biking, I had surgery on both knees almost exactly one year ago. I’ve been on a path to regain lost muscle mass and endurance. With the help of an amazing physical therapist and tons of support from friends and family, I ran a 1:50:41 at the Women’s Half Marathon in May–only 6 minutes slower than when I ran it right before the accident in 2019!
I go to Fit360 in Mt Pleasant where I lift, take classes, and follow my physical therapy plan to continue my recovery. Running is the way I work out problems and find peace; I’m so glad to be able to do it again and I’m looking forward to running the Army 10 Miler in a couple months!
Spotlight on Marco Orellana
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
I think this activity of doing 10,000 steps a day is important because it helps us stay in shape and have better health. I usually like to run 10km a day at least 3 time a week.
It’s something I enjoy, and it helps me find peace and see life more clearly. I think everyone should at least walk 10,000 steps per day.
Spotlight on Benjamin Andrews
National Museum of Natural History
I get to ride my bike to and from work at the Smithsonian everyday! That part of my job is almost how a kid would describe their ideal future; it is also a great way to get in regular exercise. I feel very fortunate in that I am physically able to run, bike, and swim. When I am pointing myself toward a future goal race – a 10k or 10-miler or a triathlon – I can stick with my training goals. Exercising makes me feel good, and I like that my wife and I can set an active example for our daughter.
The two biggest challenges I face in exercising are getting out the door and knowing when to take it easy. The first one is pretty simple: it is hard to get out of bed to go for a run, but a few minutes into the run I feel good, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish a workout. The second challenge probably relates to having a GPS watch: I know that I should not go as fast as I can every time, but when my watch tells me my pace or speed, then I feel like I have to beat my previous best time. I enjoy cheering other athletes as they push through a race and watching their expressions change from determination to pride as they cross the finish line.
Congratulations to all the participants in the Go Gold Physical Activity Challenge. You are an inspiration!
Posted: 3 September 2024
