According to a recent medical study, sitting too much may double your risk of dying.

Practice preventive maintenance by signing up for DPH's Amazing Race, set for Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.!

An event for all fitness levels, the race is a 1.5 mile course through downtown Atlanta where teams of two will walk/run their way through mini pit stop challenges. Prizes will be awarded to the two fastest teams, but participants don't have to run the course to win -- the team with the best costumes will also be recognized.

"The idea of this event is to raise awareness of the benefits and fun that comes with movement.  I want people to grab their friends, get out of the office and have fun," said Susanne Koch, DPH's worksite wellness coordinator.

Koch said the course will be a familiar one and the challenges will be an alternative to knocking out pushups or other physical feats. The event is the kickoff to the new physical activity policy that states employees, as part of their workday, will include 30 minutes of physical activity, which can be taken in one 30 minute physical activity break or two to three smaller breaks.    

"Having the physical activity policy in place will be a catalyst for positive change. We are going to start to see more push for wellness throughout DPH. This is our job -- to be a beacon and resource of health. Our behaviors should be ones others desire to emulate," Koch said.

Registration forms can be found on the new worksite wellness webpage at http://www.health.state.ga.us/wellness/ and should be emailed to eskoch@dhr.state.ga.us by close of business Oct. 30.

-Story by DPH Communications