PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Weight Loss Challenge produced a lot of losers — who were delighted with their finish.
One hundred and twenty-four entrants raised $12,000. They also shed more than a half-ton of weight during the challenge, which ran from Jan. 6 through the end of March.
“We’re thrilled,” said Rebekah Miller, a board member of Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics, which received $4,005 from the fundraiser.
The winners — or losers — of the contest organized by Bonnie Stehr of Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy were announced last week at an awards ceremony at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles.
Sixty-four people hung in for the entire 90-day challenge, Miller said.
They dropped an average of 19.6 pounds each — for a total of 1,255.7 pounds.
Winners of six age and gender groups were determined by the percentage of body weight they lost during the contest.
The six grand-prize winners were:
— Teresa Brandon, in the women’s 18-34 age group, who lost 15.38 percent of her body weight.
— Leslie Briggance, in the women’s 35-49 age group, who lost 16.53 percent of her body weight.
— Vickie DeMott, in the women’s older-than-50 age group, who lost 14.41 percent of her body weight.
— Tyler Kelly, in the men’s 18-34 age group, who lost 16.36 percent of his body weight.
— Roderic Sisk, in the men’s 35-49 age group, who lost 12.09 percent of his body weight.
— Michael Smith, in the men’s older-than-50 age group, who lost 23.30 percent of his body weight.
Runner-up in the older-than-50 age group, Robert Cristion, deserved special mention, Miller said. He had the distinction of losing 23.04 percent of his body weight, just behind Smith’s achievement, she noted.
The grand-prize winners each received $500, as well as free entry in the North Olympic Discovery Marathon, which is scheduled June 3.
When the results came in, the organizers found that older participants were more successful.
That came as a surprise, Miller said. “We assumed younger people would lose more weight.”
“Men 50 and older lost more weight than [in] any other category,” she said.
Half of the proceeds from the entry fee was divided among the finishing competitors.
The remaining half was donated to VIMO.
Beth Welander, Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy director, presented the check to Larry Little, VIMO executive director. The donation will fund a one-year supply of diabetic testing kits for 20 patients.
Because of the Olympic Weight Loss Challenge’s tremendous success, Stehr — who organized the first challenge after deciding she needed a boost to help her shed her own unwanted weight — started a new round.
The entry fee for the new contest is $50, and winners will be awarded in the following categories: individuals, couples/pairs and groups of five or more.
There were 61 entrants as of Wednesday, Miller said.
The challenge runs from April 6 to June 29. Although it is under way now, participants may still register and weigh in at Therapeutic Associates’ office at 1114 Georgiana St., Port Angeles.
But late entrants need to be aware that they have less time to shed weight and will be at a disadvantage in the contest, Miller said.
For more information about VIMO and its clinic at 909 E. Georgiana St. in Port Angeles, visit the website at www.vimoclinic.org or phone the clinic at 360-457-4431.
To contact Therapeutic Associates, phone 360-452-6216.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
