COPES CORNER _ Some members of the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School staff are in Illinois, while others have made it to Iowa as they exercise their way across America.
But all of those participating report to school regularly.
The imaginary travels are part of an eight-week program in which 110 staff members wear pedometers daily and report their travels weekly to a team captain, said Mychele Cotton, a longtime substitute teacher who organized the program that started in late September.
Ten teams are competing to see who will be the first to travel almost 3,000 miles to reach Venice Beach, Calif., she said. She thought it would be a "cool" goal.
Each member contributed $5 to the prize fund. The winning team will win half of the prize, which goes to a charity of their choosing, and decide how to use the balance, she said.
Although some might walk the distance before the program is over, all of the teams will finish, she said.
The idea came as she was looking for a healthy activity to bring staff together at the start of the school year, she said, and a couple of middle school teachers brought her the idea.
Although the various grades in the school are housed in one building, they don't often have a reason to interact, she said.
When the session is over, she said, she is hoping people will be more willing to walk as part of a healthier lifestyle. Among those participating is committee for special education secretary Issy Clapp, who is on Cotton's team, called "Happy Feet."
Team members have walked about 785 miles as of Oct. 28, the last week posted.
"It's a fun and healthy thing to do," she said.
This time of year, she said, it's especially useful because otherwise, she spends so much time inside the office.
"Being involved makes you want to do more," she said.
The "Road Runners" are out ahead of the pack at 1,142 miles, but "it doesn't matter who wins," Clapp said. "It's just fun. It pulls everyone together regardless of their level."
Recently appointed Superintendent Glenn Hamilton said he was glad to be a part of the effort.
With his background as an athletic director and physical education teacher in another district, "fitness is a concern of mine," he said. "I was amazed at the number of staff that bought into it," as only two chose not to become involved.
He said he is hoping that the interest in exercise would spread to students.
"I think it's great," he said.
