The Fourth Annual Fall River Fitness Challenge was officially announced at a press briefing held at the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium on January 4, 2011. Sponsored by the Diabetes Association, Inc. (DAI),  Community Development Recreation (CD-REC), the Fall River YMCA, General Fitness and Healthy City Fall River, the Challenge will offer low cost opportunities for those who live, work or attend school in Fall River to get fit, lose weight, have fun and win prizes. "Over the past three years, participants in the Challenges have lost over six tons of weight," stated CD-REC Program Director Jamison Souza. "People in Fall River are using this opportunity to learn more about how to get healthy and stay healthy." Souza introduced Mayor William Flanagan who praised the Challenge as a terrific resource to help people throughout the City to improve their health. Other speakers included CD-REC executive director Grace Gerling, YMCA executive director Frank Duffy, General Fitness owner Scott Fastino, Chef Jessica Williams, and NBC Television's Biggest Loser contestants Mark and Jay Kruger. Click here for the Herald News article. Click here for a video of the event. Click here for the Calendar of Challenge events. For more information, contact CD-REC Program Director Jamison Souza at 508-679-0922 or Healthy City Coordinator Dave Weed at 508-324-2411.

(Top row, left) Community Development Recreation Executive Director Grace Gerling describes the opportunities that will be available to Challenge participants over the next four months at very low cost as Program Director Jamison Souza looks on. (Top row, center) Fall River Mayor William Flanagan endorses the Challenge as YMCA Executive Director Frank Duffy and Mr. Souza listen. (Top row, right) Chef Jessica Williams of Creating Healthy Solutions describes the upcoming opportunities that Challenge participants will have to learn about healthy cooking. (Middle row) Jay and Mark Kruger, former contestants on NBC Television's Biggest Loser program talked about the progress that 2008 winner Daryl Parrent and others have made over the past three years. (Bottom row, left and right) Jay Kruger and Daryl Parrent work out in the background during the press event. (Bottom row, center) One of the signs that will be placed at various agencies throughout the City that are supporting the Challenge is displayed at the event.