PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It may be a challenge with no losers, but Pittsfield wants to win it.

 

The city kicked off its Mayors' Fitness Challenge, a friendly competition with the city of North Adams.

 

Residents in each city are asked to track health and fitness goals, earning points for such things as attending a farmer's market, eating healthy foods, and exercise.

 

The city whose residents gain the most points wins the challenge.

 

"This is a competition that has no losers. We are all winners. One, you are going to get healthy for yourself and two, we're going to win this," Director of Administrative Services Roberta McCulloch-Dews, who represented Mayor Linda Tyer at the kickoff at the downtown farmer's market at the common.

 

The 10-week mayor's fitness challenge is an initiative of Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Be Well Berkshires, the Healthy Pittsfield Partnership, the city of North Adams, and the city of Pittsfield. Last year, more than 1,000 people participated when the two cities was launched the challenge; the health challenge had been run only in North Adams the year before.

 

The challenge is simple: individuals and teams can earn points by doing a number of healthy activities during the 10-week program. The points are added up and the top scorers are eligible for prizes. Those activities include such things as eating a cup of vegetables, drinking water, and, of course, physical activity. Throughout the period, there are opportunities for bonus points and the program is also being incorporated into community events.

 

Registration for both cities is current open. Last week North Adams kicked off the challenge in the former Sleepy's mattress shop in the L-Shaped Mall. Pittsfield's kick off included a warm up and a "boot camp" run by the Berkshire Running Center and free zumba and yoga classes from Berkshire Yoga Dance and Fitness. And, of course, there were plenty of healthy food available at the farmer's market.

 

"In Pittsfield we have so many participating partners, the Downtown Pittsfield Farmer's Market is a chance to have a ton of food, there is a loop here," McCulloch-Dews said. "There are so many opportunities to get your points in. We are excited because we know this is an opportunity for Pittsfield to really trump North Adams."