THIRD level Limerick students have walked their way to success after taking serious strides in the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) third annual Marchathon.
The 10,000 Step Challenge tasked students from Limerick Institute of Technology, Mary Immaculate College and the University of Limerick, as well as 13 other third level campuses around the country, to walk 10,000 steps every day between March 7 and 11.
Hosted locally by Limerick Smarter Travel, the event saw 300 students in the city’s college campuses record an impressive five million steps.
Among the Limerick students to receive awards this week was Cliona Halley of Mary Immaculate College who won the ‘10,000 Steps in My Shoes’ competition for having reached 10,000 steps each day during the challenge.
A survey of the participating Limerick students found that 70 per cent recorded increased activity level. 49 per cent recorded an increase in fitness with 38 per cent of students noting a reduction in stress and 11 per cent losing weight.
“We are now working with a number of colleges to integrate this event in the college curriculum so we hope to see it grow even further in 2017,” said Sharon Daly of the National Transport Authority.
by Alan Jacques
