Gordon Johnson joined the challenge to start tracking his weekly rowing, biking and walking miles.
For the past eight months, Gordon Johnson has been going to the gym twice a week to row and bike and then walk outside for additional exercise. But he never kept track of his distance with all three fitness activities until The American Legion’s USA 250 Challenge came along.
“I thought, well this would be a good opportunity to keep track of my miles, and I have a fraternity brother in Illinois (Legionnaire Steve Calhoun) and we talk with each other about how many miles have you ridden this week and walked, or whatever,” said Johnson, a member of American Legion Post 115 in Greer, S.C.
Since July 3 when the USA 250 Challenge was launched in celebration of America’s birthday next year, Johnson has logged 154 miles of rowing, biking and walking. He rows for 1.8 miles, bikes for 6 miles and walks in his neighborhood up to 3 miles.
“You set a goal to do 250 miles, and I’m already over 150 miles into this and we have quite a way to get to July (4, 2026), so I will be well over 250 miles by the time this is done next July,” he said.
Registered participants of the USA 250 Challenge can participate in one or all three of the challenge categories – fitness, mental health and community service – for 250 miles or hours. The challenge can be done as an individual or as part of a team. Register here.
If you need help with tracking miles or hours, watch this how-to video.
“I think it’s a good challenge,” Johnson said. “As all of us get older, you need to keep moving.”
Johnson became more invested in working out after having a heart valve replacement last October. He was going to the gym prior to the surgery but after losing 25 pounds following, he wanted to keep the weight off.
“So the challenge from The American Legion just kind of fit in,” he said. “And like I said, I never kept track of how far (he rowed, biked or walked) and now I keep track of that.”
- USA250 Challenge