People may participate in an Upper Peninsula-wide fitness challenge by joining a program that begins January 3, offered by the Wellness Council of the Upper Peninsula.

Over an eight-week period, participants will learn how to incorporate more moderate or vigorous activity into their daily routine and will be able to keep track of their daily minutes or miles of physical activity on a Web site, reported Colleen Horn of St. Ignace, an executive member of the wellness council.

Individuals will be entered into prize drawings for completing various exercise levels, and participating communities will have a chance to win a community prize such as a new park bench for a local park, a bicycle rack, or walking path improvements.

To be eligible for prizes, participants must meet the requirement of at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. To register for the "Get Moving U.P." program or to learn more about it, visit the Wellness Council of the Upper Peninsula Web site, www.fitUP.org.

Mackinac Straits Hospital employees participate in the effort as a supplement to the hospital's employee wellness program, reported Ms. Horn, who is also the hospital's employee wellness coordinator. "Get Moving U.P." is in its ninth year.