MEDICAL studies prove the old adage of healthy body, healthy mind. With obesity rampant on the island like never before a recent study found that one third of Bermudian adults are clinically obese. Argus Group Holdings Limited, an insurance and finance company, is aiming to change all that with the Argus 400 Challenge.

The Argus 400 Challenge celebrates 400 years since Bermuda was settled and 100 years since the first Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby. The Argus 400 challenge is a seven month long program which will help members of the community train for the 2009 Bermuda Day Half Marathon Derby.

The Bermuda Day Half-Marathon started in June 1909 when a group of British officers stationed in Somerset challenged their Bermudian counterparts to a cross country race. From this test grew the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon.

There are three different schedules for training so beginners and people who are not in shape won’t have anything to worry about when it comes to training. There is a beginner, intermediate and advance training schedule available for those that want to get fit and participate in the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby.

Mid-Ocean News was able to speak with Gerald Simons, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Argus Group, about the exciting challenge and some the benefits to signing up for the Argus 400 Challenge.

“Next year is the 400 anniversary of the settlement of Bermuda,” said Mr. Simons. “It is also the 100 anniversary of the first running of the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon. Argus is committed to the wellness of the Bermudian community.

“The May 24 Bermuda Day race is an iconic race. Each year thousands of people line up along the route and watch the race and support the runners. Anyone who has run it will tell you it’s one of the most pleasurable races to participate in because of all the support from the spectators along the route.”

Mr. Simons noted: “Each year as the runners go by many people say ‘You know? I’m going to do that race some day.’ The Argus 400 Challenge tries to tie together all the sentiments and aspirations and goals in one package by doing something that is in our physical and mental well being by participating in this road race. The focus isn’t so much on winning, but on participating.”

Mr. Simons said participation is key and that it doesn’t matter whether you run, jog or walk. “It’s getting out there and preparing for it, becoming fitter and trying to lead Bermuda into a healthier lifestyle,” said Mr. Simons. “We recognize that changing the culture of Bermuda, with regards to its attitude towards exercise and physical fitness, can not be done overnight. We didn’t become the way we are overnight and it is going to take years for us to place greater emphasis on exercise.”

For the Argus 400 Challenge Argus has partnered with a number of athletic institutions. These training partners will provide participants with a training schedule tailored to their fitness level and group training for those that want to exercise in a group. Exercising in a group has proven to be helpful to people who train as it provides constant motivation from those around you striving to achieve the same goal. Those who register will be able to participate in training events with Swan’s Running Club, Mid Atlantic Athletic Club, the Walking Club of Bermuda and a monthly Power Hour training session with fitness instructor Yves Paul from The Fitness Firm.

“We are committed to the wellness of the Bermudian community and we see the 400 Challenge as an appealing way to encourage more people to put their feet in the street,” said Mr. Simons. “And our role is to support them in that effort. So Argus in encouraging them to step up to the plate and train for and participate in the Bermuda Day Half-Marathon.”

Mr. Simons spoke about the type of person the Argus 400 Challenge is looking to attract and said there is no time like the present to start getting healthy. “The ideal person would be someone who has never run in a race, or hasn’t done anything physically active for a number of years or perhaps has never exercised at all,” said Mr. Simons. “If they’ve always wanted to be physically fit or to run the race but never got around to it, the May 24 race is an ideal goal to have.

“It doesn’t make sense in May to decide to do the race because it doesn’t leave enough time to prepare. If you start now six to eight months before the race you can successfully cover the distance if you start training now.”

Mr. Simons said there is an added benefit to starting now and noted: “If you train over a six month period, training might become a lifetime habit and that is the longer term goal.

“Many people in Bermuda do not know what it is to be physically fit and to be at their personal optimal level of fitness. The more people run, the healthier they are likely to be. It’s based on a simple principal: walking and running are fundamental to exercise. Humans were designed to walk and run.”

Mr. Simons said they are looking for Bermuda’s uniformed service members, such as police officers and fire-fighters, to participate as well. “I have met with Colonel Lamb, the Prisons commissioner. I have also met with the police commissioner George Jackson and I am planning on meeting with the commanding officer of the regiment. I have spoken with them about physical fitness being a key component of their job requirements. I am appealing to members of those bodies to seriously take up the challenge.

“I know Colonel Lamb is very keen on physical fitness and exercises every day and tries to encourage the officers and men and women under his command to become more active.”

Mr. Simons said healthy competition is good and added: “I’d like to see a competition among the three principal uniform services to see who can have the greatest percentage of their number participate in the challenge.”

With longer life attributed as a benefit of being fit Mr. Simons throws the gauntlet down and challenges all of Bermuda to get healthy and added: “The Argus 400 Challenge is really a challenge to the community to get off the couch, get off your butt and get moving. People don’t like to hear of doing things just for health or to lose weight. There needs to be something more inspirational. In any particular activity it should either be fun or something that can give you bragging rights. Having done the race myself four times I can tell you from experience that people view persons who cover that distance differently.”

There are some other incentives, besides adding years to your life, for people to register for the challenge. There are two draws for $400 vouchers, those who attend the monthly Power Hour sessions are entered to win a $50 voucher and there is a grand prize draw for those that complete the race for a $1,000 voucher.

Mr. Simons concluded by saying: “The real challenge isn’t to run the race, running the race is the icing on the cake. The challenge for most of us is the training. To make the time to go out three or four times a week and get moving. So that is the Argus 400 Challenge.”

People wishing to enter the Argus 400 Challenge can register for $30 at the Argus Customer Service Centre in Craig Appin House on Wesley Street in Hamilton. Those that register will receive a running vest, training schedule and can attend the weekly sessions held by 400 Challenge training partners. An online form to register can be printed from www.argus.bm and be dropped off at Craig Appin House.