The 2020 Wellness Challenge has fewer participants but more participation than last year.

Deborah Jackson, director of programming and marketing for Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation, said there are 385 people currently registered for the health and fitness campaign. That’s down from about 500 in 2019.

“The really cool thing is that, with that number, we’ve had the most participation in classes,” she said.

The Wellness Challenge is a 10-week community health campaign in which providers offer discounts on fitness classes and healthy choice foods, free seminars, and other benefits for those trying to lose weight or improve their overall health.

The challenge was started several years ago by the Clark County Activities Coalition as the Weigh Down, but changed its name to include a more holistic approach to health, Jackson said.

The coalition, which includes members from the Health Department, Parks and Rec, Clark Regional Medical Center and many health businesses, is still the driving force behind the challenge.

The coalition is concerned with health problems that are prevalent in the community, including obsesity and tobacco use.

Classes offered each year emphasize not only weight loss and active living, but also stress management, diabetes support, nutrition, heart health, hiking, yoga, coping with anger, yoga, disc golf and gardening.

For $15, participants get a booklet of tickets for classes and activities.

“If you add it all up, it’s worth hundreds and hundreds of dollars,” Jackson said.

Participating businesses get nothing out of it except possibly new clients who are serious about continuing their commitment.

This year’s challenge began Jan. 7 and ends March 18.

“We have four weeks left of the challenge, so we’re just over halfway through,” Jackson said.

It’s too late to join the challenge this year, but there are still plenty of activities for those who are registered.

Participants do weekly weigh-ins at one of four locations.

This year’s Wellness Challenge is sponsored by the Clark County Health Department, Parks and Recreation, Sekisui, Day One, KORT, Sekisui, Clark Regional Medical Center and Michelle Blackburn.

The finale of the challenge will be a weigh-in party from 6 to 7 on Tuesday, March 24, at College Park Gym., 15 Wheeler Ave. There will be first, second and third-place awards given for male and female participants who lost the biggest percentage of body weight, and there will also be random drawings for prizes for those who attend.

The full schedule of remaining activities and events can be found at ccactivitycoalition.com.