Faculty and staff gathered to kickoff the 10-week Frog Legs: TCU 2006 Pedometer Challenge at the University Recreation Center Tuesday.Each participant was fitted with a pedometer, a device that tracks the amount of steps a person takes daily, at the end of the luncheon.

Walkers compete in the challenge in teams, with prizes going to the team that takes the most steps over the 10-week period. The goal of the program is for each participant to take 10,000 steps a day.

Provost Nowell Donovan said the goal of the challenge is to promote better health.

Donovan, who is participating in the challenge, said walking is good for the legs.

“Most people carry too much body fat, and of course the first place you see it is on your legs,” Donovan said.

Trey Morrison, director of fitness and wellness, said the goal of the challenge is the participant’s enjoyment.

“The goal is just to have fun,” Morrison said.

The challenge has 1,000 faculty and staff members signed up to participate.

Shauna Cognata, the challenge’s coordinator, said she expects participants to get healthier.

“Overall health is going to increase, especially if you are not meeting your goal of 10,000 steps a day,” Cognata said.

Cognata said this is the first time TCU has tried this with the faculty and staff, but students could be included later.

Danny Morrison, athletics director, who volunteered at the luncheon, said the challenge promotes fitness on campus. “I think it is a great thing for the university to be doing,” Morrison said. “It has created interest in fitness and will be fun for the participants.”

Donovan said walking will make everyone healthier.

“Our aim is to improve the architecture of our legs,” Donovan said. “This campus is a beautiful campus and in the springtime it’s good to walk.