Walking the Neutrino Beam

Sanford Lab challenges employees and researchers to make the metaphorical trek to Fermilab and back–as the neutrino flies.

Could you walk the Neutrino beam and back?

Employees and researchers are invited to participate in the first-ever Sanford Lab Walking Challenge. On August 1, Sanford Lab will begin its trek to Fermilab and back–along the neutrino beamline.

The Goal

As a facility, the ultimate goal is a combined 1,600 miles: the total roundtrip distance from Lead, South Dakota, to Batavia, Illinois, via the neutrino beam.

The challenge will run for 6 weeks, from Wednesday, August 1 until Wednesday, September 12.

The Trek

To achieve this mileage, employees and researchers can contribute as a team, individual or both. Great prizes await the team with the highest number of steps, as well as the individual with the highest number of steps.

Teams will consist of five people, each with a designated captain to record and submit the team’s progress. Individuals can track and submit their own steps. If you’d like to compete in both categories, you may join a team, while still tracking and submitting your steps as an individual (These steps will not be added to Sanford’s overall millage twice, but will allow you to be in the running for both prizes.).

To get started, simply pick up a detailed registration packet from Laura Baatz in the Nurse’s Office or Michelle Andresen in ESH. Pick up a registration form and return by July 31. Pedometers are available for use but you are welcome to use your own pedometer/device.

The Purpose

This 6-week program has been designed to get you more physically active; our goal is for you to walk 10,000 steps per day by the end of the challenge. That may sound like a lot, but you are probably already walking between 3,000–5,000 steps each day!

What do you have to lose? A few pounds? A chance to feel better and have more energy? Let’s make physical inactivity a thing of the past.