Step Challenge

Outdoor sign for a Columbia challenge event on campus.

Step up with your Columbia Mailman colleagues this summer and join the Mailman on the Move Step Challenge!

Columbia Mailman School of Public Health faculty and staff will work together to walk a collective 2,000 miles while learning tips and tricks to stay healthy during the summer. Participants will also compete to achieve the highest step count and more. This is a great opportunity to boost our physical activity and enjoy some friendly competition. Let’s get stepping!

Challenge Dates:
Tuesday, May 26 - Sunday, June 14, 2026

Final Day to Sign Up:
Saturday, May 30, 2026

Challenge Goal:
Aim for 7,000 steps daily to contribute to the School’s goal of 2,000 collective miles. Individuals will also compete to achieve the highest steps, gain recognition as the “best cheerleader”, and more.

How To Sign Up

Follow the steps to create your MoveSpring account & connect a device. You’ll automatically be added to the challenge!* Once you’re connected to the challenge: click the “Join a Team” button to select your department. **

Create your MoveSpring account on a computer or download the MoveSpring app to your mobile phone.
When prompted, use the organization code CUWELL.
Join the Columbia Mailman challenge on the School's movespring page.
Direct URL: https://link.movespring.com/join?orgCode=CUWELL&groupCode=W3VPZ3

*If you already have a MoveSpring account, join using the link above. If you have participated in a previous step challenge, please log in with the account tied with those prior challenges.

**At the end of the challenge, in order to see the results, you will be prompted to complete an anonymous survey. This data will help inform planning for future step challenges and initiatives.

On-Site Meet-Up Events*

Lunchtime walk kick-off: Tuesday, May 26 (12-12:45 p.m.)
Meet on the front steps of — for a stretch and then walk around campus 2-3 times or walk around Riverside Park.

*Subject to change

Helpful Tip: Boost Your Steps with Meet-Ups

Looking to increase your step count? Join the Columbia Mailman community for a kickoff walking meet-up to start the challenge strong! In addition, organizing your own on-site walking meet-ups with colleagues throughout the challenge is a great way to keep the momentum going. Whether it’s a quick mid-day break or a post-meeting walk, these group walks make it easy to get more steps in while staying connected, motivated, and moving together.

Prizes

Awarded at the end of the challenge to participants in the following categories:

Top Stepper: the participant with the highest average total step count by the challenge end (1 winner)
Weekly Stepper Raffle: the top 10 participants with the highest total step count will enter to win the raffle at the end of each week (3 winners total)
Best Cheerleaders: Recognizing a participant who actively motivates others in the chat (1 winner)

Let’s Get Social

Stay in touch with your colleagues throughout the challenge by using the chat function on the MoveSpring app. Here, you can share an active selfie, motivational thought, and more. You can also “like” and comment on posts in the app!

Need Help with MoveSpring?

Are you having trouble logging in or need additional assistance? Check out the MoveSpring Help Center, how-to videos, or contact their support team. To contact MoveSpring Support in the mobile app, tap the menu bars at the top left corner of the dashboard and then tap the green Message support button at the bottom of the utility panel. On the web, click the blue chat icon at the bottom right of the screen.

You can also reach the MoveSpring Support team at help@movespring.com.

2025 - Step Through Columbia's History Challenge

Step up with your Mailman colleagues this summer and join the Step Through Columbia's History Challenge! Together, we’ll work as one community to reach a collective step goal. This is a great opportunity to boost our physical activity, stay motivated, and celebrate our shared progress—with chances to win prizes and earn bragging rights along the way. Let’s get stepping!

Challenge Dates

Monday, July 7 - Sunday, July 20, 2025

Step Challenges are open to Columbia Mailman faculty and staff.