2025 Campus Challenges

This team walking challenge rewards you for visiting the locations of Ohio State’s away Big Ten football games. As we crisscross the country, you will virtually explore the campuses of our conference opponents and learn about their academic and athletic history. The total distance this year is 2,454.6 miles – approximately 4,909,200 steps! To more quickly unlock each destination, be sure to recruit a full team of 10 and sync your steps daily.

Challenge Basics

• Teams can have up to 10 participants
• You can self-enter activity or use a device
• You can change teams until September 21 (but not on/after the challenge begins on September 22)
• Review full challenge rules here
• Review Team Challenges Overview webinar here (23-minute getting started guide in BuckeyeLearn)

Weekly Engagement Drawings

Each week the challenge email will provide you with two engagement prompts. Follow the directions in the email to be entered into the drawings for $25 Rewards Cash*. Activities must be completed by the deadline listed in the email to be included in the weekly contest. Only submissions via the required entry formats are eligible for the drawing. Four winners (two per category) will be drawn and notified each week of the challenge. For complete details on the photo activity, click here. For complete details on the guessing game, click here.

Photo Activity Prompts & Winners | Guessing Game Prompts & Winners

Grand Prize Drawing

Teams who unlock all challenge destinations will be entered into a drawing to win $50 Rewards Cash* for each team member. Three winning teams will be drawn and notified at challenge conclusion. For complete details, click here.

Grand Prize Winners

Points** Available

Points for this challenge will be awarded at challenge conclusion based on the following criteria:

• Individual average of 4,000 – 7,499 steps/day: 1,000 points
• Individual average of 7,500 – 9,999 steps/day: 2,000 points
• Individual average of 10,000 – 12,499 steps/day: 3,000 points
• Individual average of 12,500+ steps/day: 4,000 points
• Individual step average ≥ challenge step average: 1,000 bonus points

Challenge Resources

Engage in any of the activities below to enhance your challenge experience!

Start A Walking / Running Routine

Join OSU health coach Michael for this webinar on October 7 from 11:30am-12:00pm. Geared towards beginners or those who haven’t exercised in a while, this program will help you build structure, discuss how to select the right attire, and discover the best fuel for your body.

Participate In The Scarlet Vs. Gray Wellness Walk Off

Please join us on October 8 rocking your scarlet or gray gear anytime between 11:30am and ending at 1:00pm on the Oval (Columbus Campus). Check in with the OSU Health Plan Health Coaching & Wellness team in front of the Thompson Library near the William Oxley Thompson Statue. This event is open to all fitness levels and can be performed at your own pace.

Break Barriers To Physical Activity

Join OSU health coach Bonnie for this group health coaching series about getting motivated and staying consistently active beginning October 14 from 12:00pm-12:30pm. Learn about the importance of physical activity and exercise, identify real barriers and discuss solutions, and create a personalized plan.

Eat To Support Your Exercise Routine

Having a good exercise routine is only half of the battle. Join OSU health coach Michael for this group health coaching series about optimizing your food choices to help with your gym results beginning November 5 from 12:00pm-12:30pm. Learn why fueling is important, explore macronutrient recommendations, and learn which foods will help support your goals.

Learn Safe Strategies To Stay Active

Join OSU health coach Alison for this webinar on November 13 from 12:00pm-12:30pm. Living with pain doesn’t mean you have to give up on movement. In this empowering webinar, we’ll explore how to exercise safely and effectively. You’ll learn how to listen to your body, modify activities, and find the right types of movement to support your health without making pain worse.

Fit In Fitness For Busy Parents

Join OSU health coach Bonnie for this webinar on November 18 from 12:00pm-12:30pm. Geared towards parents, this program will guide participants on how to integrate physical activity into their lives. Learn about exercise recommendations for parents and kids, address common barriers parents experience, and explore age appropriate ways to be active together.

Run/Walk A Local Fall Race

Fall in Ohio is one of the best times to participate in a race. The weather is cool and crisp and lends itself well to walk or run any distance. From Cheese Chases, to Monster Mash Dashes, to Dog Jogs, everyone can find something to meet their fitness goals. Check out these races across the state to find an option nearby.

Join Free In Person Fitness Classes

Whether you’re getting your heart pumping with cardio or finding your center with yoga, the North Lawn of the Commons is the place to take your workout classes outside – and it’s all free. Sponsored by UnitedHealthcare and coordinated by Quality Wellness and RawYoga614, you’ll find four classes every week through September.

Stream Group Fitness OnDemand

Check out Rec Sports’ YouTube playlist on the Student Life Channel for OnDemand group fitness workouts. With everything from strength, to yoga, to cycling, and ranging in length from 10 to 45 minutes, these videos will help you fit movement into your everyday schedule!

The Fine Print

*Team members who join the challenge but do not log activity are not eligible for prizes. Rewards Cash is subject to taxation at the time it is earned, so drawing winners can accept or decline the prize. Additional prizes may be taxable if you receive other non-cash awards from the university during the calendar year.

**You must log/sync your activity with the portal/app at least once per week (Mon-Sun) during eight of the ten weeks of the challenge timeframe to be eligible for the reward points. If you are using an app/device, you may have to regularly open the dashboard of that app/device for that data to be synced to the portal/app. Team members who join the challenge but do not log activity will not receive points. Final individual points will be awarded by December 12, 2025.