The Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge came to a close yesterday, with participants weighing in 7,334 pounds lighter than at the start of the event.

The biggest winners were a group of family and friends comprising the team 'Four Play', and Aspen Insurance's 'Re-balancing Our Portfolio'.

'Four Play' saw the greatest weight loss ¿ an average of 13.09 per cent. However, the Aspen group put in the greatest effort, each member spending an average of 120 hours and 25 minutes exercising.

A team-based weight loss and physical activity programme, the Challenge was launched on January 16. More than 2,000 residents signed up, collectively losing 7,334 pounds and completing 52,282 hours of activity by the time it was completed yesterday.

Based on similar schemes held in the United States, the Bermuda initiative marked the first time it was held outside America. Groups of two to ten people competed against each other, receiving encouragement via the Internet in the form of health information, weekly journals, random prizes and other incentives.

Sponsored by Aspen Re, the Bermuda Diabetes Association, Lindo's Group of Companies and the Bermuda Government, the idea was to jump-start healthier eating and regular exercise among residents.

In total, 2,308 people participated, traveling more than 200,000 miles between them ¿ the equivalent of walking the circumference of the earth more than eight times.

"When we initially brought the programme to the island, we thought maybe 200 to 300 people would sign up," said Terry Faulkenberry, who experienced the success of the programme in the United States and worked to bring it to Bermuda.

"To register more than 2,300 participants in our first year and have everyone fully embrace the concept as much as they did is a wonderful and inspiring success story.

"It was truly a collective effort. The collaboration of businesses, associations and government along with the community's own interest in living healthier lives is a perfect example of how we can all work together for the betterment of our society."

Live Healthy America, the charity involved with the US programme described Bermuda's results as among the best to date. "We have implemented this programme in many parts of the US and Bermuda's results are right up there with the best results we have seen so far," said director Troy Vincent.

"We are anxious to share this model and everyone's efforts with cities across the United States. Bermuda should be proud of the success they have had and continue the momentum that has been started."

Bermuda's effort was also heartily applauded by other sponsors of the scheme.

"The shared commitment from all sectors of the community to take on this programme, work hard and make it successful should be looked upon as a model to others," said Health Minister Nelson Bascome.

"I congratulate all the participants for their hard work and urge everyone to continue the healthy habits that have been started throughout the remainder of the year."

Programme manager with the Bermuda Diabetes Association, Sarah Burrows, noted the Challenge had a tremendous impact on the health of those participants living with the disease. "Due to increased activity and better eating habits on the programme we have seen participants with diabetes lower their blood sugar levels to the point where they have decreased their insulin intake and in one particular case, ceased taking insulin altogether.

"Diabetes is a growing epidemic in Bermuda and if we can better the lives of diabetes patients or even prevent just one more person from developing diabetes with this programme, we're making great progress."

Giorgio Zanol of Lindo's Group of Companies agreed: "Our goal was to be a part of an event that brought the community together around healthy lifestyle habits ¿ exercising, eating right and making the appropriate healthy choices. It is a philosophy I embrace in my own life and one that has made a huge difference in my overall health. At Lindo's, we are proud to have been a part of the programme and of the participants who worked so hard over the last 100 days."

The Challenge comes to a formal close tomorrow with a soca concert at the National Sports Centre featuring Alison Hinds. The event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at a special rate for all Live Healthy Bermuda 100 Day Challenge participants at the Diabetes Resource Centre. Regular tickets can be purchased at Lindo's Family Foods, Lindo's Market, and Dub City. Next year's 100 Day Challenge begins January 14. For more information about the 100-Day Challenge visit www.livehealthybermuda.org.